there's a big difference between legal and moral rules for adults too.
I try to follow the moral rules even if it means ignoring the legal rules on occassion.
sports especially involving kids are the same for me, I'd rather err to the side of above board than sneaky pete, if nothing else for the example it sets for the kids.
it was perfectly legal for us to play against shorthanded teams this summer, but I wouldn't allow it.
tis the great thing about this life we all get to make choices and if you're not revulsed by the man you see in the mirror I reckon it's all good. but I try and hold that guy to a pretty high standard
I don't know many folks that are as insanely stupidly competitive as I am, tis why I've avoided coaching my kids, kids are supposed to have fun, not get yelled at, after all a man has to know his limitations.
Just my opinion, but there's a HUGE difference between playing with a full team against a short-handed team, vs. the trick play in question here.
The very nature of playing 11 vs. 9 creates an advantage for the team that can field enough players to put 11 out there ...
However ...
Once you pull 2 players to make it 9 vs. 9, the playing field is again perfectly level, and both teams can now compete, fairly and ethically within the rules ...
and that "trick play" gave the offense NO advantage over the defense that simply let the QB walk past them and then run for a score ...
again, the two scenarios are COMPLETELY different ...
But if it's "legal" Trey?
The line of distinction here is trickery during play (ball fakes, reverses, etc), and trickery that causes the other team NOT to play, and that combined with the age of the players. Like you said, though, once the ball is set for play...you have to be ready...young kids like that, can't be expected, even when properly coached, to recognize such an unusual looking situation, especially when an adult coach is "aiding in the deception" from the sideline.
