5 Keys to Using Trick Plays

The teams that you face now are usually of equal or greater caliber. 

Solid offensive performances are still built around the core of what you do that has got you to this point. However, being able to strategically add an explosive play through the use of some kind of deceptive or trick can provide the spark plug you need to overcome your opponent.

Here’s Five Keys for Using Trick Plays:

Know your opponent and what players on defense are quick to react to an initial key. Plan your attack here.

Decide when and where are the appropriate time to use these plays. Most of the time these plays are effective when the game is tight.

Set up the play to fit into what you do. Use looks and formations that are already part of your game plan. A formation the defense hasn’t seen sometimes causes them to play less aggressively and could be an indicator that you are doing something out of the ordinary.

Practice your plays but not too much. Give it a few team reps and over the week and that’s all. If there is a key mechanic involved with ball handling or a pass, let the players involved practice it separately.

Have fun! These plays are always fun when they work out and the players love to execute them.

There are many possibilities for the tricks you can design. Here’s three unique trick plays to get your creative juices flowing.

#1) “Tony Disco” from Shawn Liotta

Shawn Liotta has plenty of gadgets that work.  This is one he let his players name and they called it “Tony Disco.”  It’s a variation of Philly Special, and is great in the red zone.  The Speed sweep action gets the defense flowing immediately and leaves them exposed on the opposite flank for the TD.

#2) “Razorback” by Rick Darlington

He’s known for his explosive offense, and he’s not shy about using trick plays.  Coach Darlington put this play into his arsenal after seeing Gus Malzahn run it while he was at Arkansas, thus the name.  Again, sweep action gets the defense moving and both the player aligned at QB and the TE on the crossing route are wide open.  Coach loves this play against defenses who play man coverage.

#3) Eric Marty’s Tight End Toss Pass

Eric Marty, offensive coordinator at Grambling features another play borrowed from one of the great coaches in the game, Steve Spurrier. This is one that has fly motion, a toss to the tailback, and a throw to a tight end that delays his release.  All of the action in the backfield, and the initial block of the TE allows him to get lost in the secondary even though, as Coach Marty points out, they prefer not to run it against this coverage.  It works anyway.  It’s another play that’s good in the red zone.

Trick plays are always an opportunity to change the game and put your team ahead.  

Here’s one more resource with all-22 video of 95 trick plays if you are still looking for ideas.