A sad day, indeed

[M2]

National Group Bans Football's `Fumblerooski'
Eric Sondheimer; Martin Henderson, From LATimes Staff Reports April 13, 2006


One of the wackiest, most entertaining trick plays in high school football, the "fumblerooski," has been banned starting with the 2006 season.

The decision, made by the National Federation of State High School Assns. football rules committee, will deny offensive linemen in Southern California and across the nation their best opportunity to score a touchdown while making a desperate, sometimes comedic dash toward the end zone.

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"The times we practiced it, the times we ran it, the kids had a blast," Thousand Oaks Coach Mike Sanders said. "The players absolutely loved it."

The fumblerooski was banned in the NFL in the early 1960s and was outlawed in college football in 1993. But it has flourished at the high school level, particularly at Westlake Village Oaks Christian, where Coach Bill Redell has made it almost a trademark.

Last season, the Lions used it once, and offensive guard Duke Lemmens ran 74 yards for a touchdown against Palmdale.

The play involves placing the ball on the ground behind the center after the snap. While all the offensive players head in one direction, the guard picks up the ball and races the opposite direction, usually going unnoticed until it's too late.

Redell started using the play in 1994 at La Canada St. Francis and estimates he has brought it out more than 20 times. Many of his former assistants, like Sanders, have also used it.

"The reality is it was a fun play and a safe play," Sanders said.

Thousand Oaks lineman Jesse Border scored twice off the fumblerooski in one game in 2003.

Border, now playing at Ventura College, said, "The fumblerooskis were some of my best memories of my life. It's too bad others won't get the chance to experience it. It's an awesome play."

But Jerry Diehl, assistant director of the National Federation of State High School Assns., said the play was seldom used and put a burden on officials because teams had to inform the referee before running the play.

"It eliminates confusion in a ballgame," Diehl said of the ban.

The 2006 football rules changes, approved in January, don't specifically mention the fumblerooski by name, but Rule 7-2-8 states, "The option to use a 'planned loose ball' has been removed."

Redell, who turned 65 last week, said he was not disappointed that the play has been eliminated.

"I think they should have banned it years ago," he said. "I've questioned myself about running the play."

Redell, though, is already thinking about what could succeed the fumblerooski. "There has to be a spinoff," he said.

And there is. While linemen will no longer be able to run with the ball during a planned play, the rules do not prevent an eligible offensive back from picking up the ball.

— Eric Sondheimer

[Cicero]

Makes no sense.

[M2]

Fumblerooski was banned in college ball in the early-mid 90s.

I believe it's a safety thing to keep the center from getting his clock cleaned on every play or something.

I did not know that.

It was fun watching Nebraska run it, though. It's what keep them in the game when they were down 14-0 to a Miami team led by Bernie Kosar.

That Nebraska/Miami games was one of the best I can remember seeing! Mike Rozier was a load.



m2

[Laxplayer]

The fumblerooski was banned in the NFL in the early 1960s and was outlawed in college football in 1993. But it has flourished at the high school level, particularly at Crespi High school where Lax coached too with Redell Westlake Village Oaks Christian, where Coach Bill Redell has made it almost a trademark.

Had to give myself some props here.

[At Large]

Do I have to bring up who invented the play? Heh Heh