Flea flicker

A flea-flicker is an unorthodox play (often called a trick play) in American football. It is designed to fool the defensive team into thinking it is a running play instead of a passing play.

Related Topics:
American football - Defensive team

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After the snap, the quarterback laterals to a running back who then runs parallel to the line of scrimmage. Before the running back turns upfield, he laterals back to the quarterback, who then looks for a wide receiver or tight end to throw the ball to.

Related Topics:
Quarterback - Laterals - Running back - Line of scrimmage - Wide receiver - Tight end

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If the defensive players think it is just a normal running play, they will first immediately run upfield to try to tackle the running back, leaving the quarterback free from any immediate pass rush, and leaving the wide receivers wide open to catch a pass.

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In a variation of the the flea-flicker, the running back immediately laterals the ball back to quarterback after receiving the ball.

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The flea flicker is an extremely high risk play, and the result of it is almost always either a big gain, a turnover, or a big loss. One problem is that it takes a significant amount of time for the play to develop. During that time, the defense might get past the offense's blockers to tackle the running back before he can make the pitch to the quarterback, or sack the quarterback before he can throw the ball. And there is also the risk the running back could fumble if he is hit as he pitches the ball.

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Because of the risks it is rarely used, however some flea flicker plays have been used in many key National Football League games including the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XVII, the Washington Redskins used a flea flicker to try to fool the Miami Dolphins. However the Dolphins were not fooled; Miami defensive back Lyle Blackwood intercepted the pass. But in Super Bowl XXI, the New York Giants sucessfully ran flea flicker play against the Denver Broncos; Quarterback Phil Simms passed the ball to receiver Phil McConkey who ran all the way to the Broncos 1-yard line before being tackled. The Giants then scored a touchown on the next play.

Related Topics:
National Football League - Super Bowl - Super Bowl XVII - Washington Redskins - Miami Dolphins - Lyle Blackwood - Super Bowl XXI - New York Giants - Denver Broncos - Phil Simms - Phil McConkey

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