Anybody that's ever played defense can understand where I'm coming from in this post... As if it weren't challenging enough playing a team that is athletically gifted, when the game is on the line, or when its least expected, they pull out a crafty play and go 50 yards for the touchdown - ugh! We've all been there as defenders. Enough said! Here are the top 10 most annoying plays to defend of ALL TIME:

(If reading this via email feed, go to www.RawHideNation.com to view videos)


11. Direct Snap
Defenders beware of the direct snap! You can miss it in a flash if you don't have your eye on the ball or aren't following your offensive key. The direct snap is particularly tricky because the center snaps the ball to somebody other than the quarterback. The play hits quickly, and the runner turns the ball up quickly. Defenders - be on your toes and ready to fly downhill!




10. Reverse
The worst part of the reverse is not the part where the opposing team runs for a 50 yard touchdown. The worst part is the oh "sh*t" moment when, as the defender, you crash down, chase the first person with the ball, and then realize you just got fooled. A receiver come from the opposite direction at full speed and take the pitch the opposite way.






9. Triple Option
The triple option definitely deserves to be in the ranks of the most annoying football plays to defend of all time, especially when a team has a fast quarterback. The quarterback can either hand off to the fullback inside, take the ball himself outside and cut up, or pitch the ball to the running back paralleling his moves a couple yards away. The key to defend this play is either having a very fast defense, or being very disciplined with your linebacker run responsibilities. right.





8. Fake Spike
The fake spike can be really annoying for a couple reasons. First of all, if the offense is lined up to spike the ball, chances are you're defending against a two minute drill, which probably means you are winded. Wow, no play, fantastic... 25 seconds of more rest. But wait, a fake spike! The defense is standing around and the quarterback is running a play. The quarterback catches the corner sleeping and wah-lah - touchdown to the wide receiver - how annoying.




7. Statue of Liberty
All I have to say is that if you were Oklahoma in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, the statue of liberty was super annoying. Just watch the video. Its the final play to end the game, the play labeled #1.






6. Halfback Pass
Halfback passes are extremely annoying because the man throwing the ball isn't even a quarterback! How could a runningback throw a touchdown? Well, it happens. The quarterback pitches the ball to the runningback as if it were a toss play. At the last moment before a runningback would normally turn up, the runningback pulls up and throws the balls deep, assuming the cornerback bites, thinking it was a run play.




5. Wide Receiver Reverse Pass
The wide receiver reverse pass is a little nutty but can come up huge. In the head of the defender you have to consider: the down and distance, the weight distribution of the lineman between their legs and hand, whether the play if a run or pass, when the play is a reverse, and finally, whether the reverse is a reverse pass! That's a lot. Once you recognize its a reverse pass, you hope the safeties and corners have not bitten on the play.





4. Halfback Screen
The halfback screen may not be the most obscure and exciting play, but it can produce big results. As a defender, you must always be prepared for a screen in 3rd and long situations. If you're rushing the passer, you know a screen is coming when the lineman let you go by with little contact. The quarterback keeps dropping deep and suddenly pops it to a runningback waiting behind the lineman. This play is especially annoying as a defensive back if you are dropping into pass coverage many yards away from the line of scrimmage, and all of your linebackers and defensive lineman get fooled. Time to go make a tackle.





3. "Wrong Ball Coach"
This is one of the trickiest plays in the book. Your offensive line and quarterback have to be masters of chicanery to pull this one off. You also need to be playing a very undisciplined (and highly gullible) defense.





2. The Hail Mary
Hail Marys (aka "bombs" or "prayers") generally happen in dire circumstances, either at the end of a half, or at the end of the game, when a team is out of field goal range or needs at least 4 points to go against. As a defender, all you can do is sit in your "prevent" defense and hope nobody gets lucky. The receivers run deep and the quarterback launches the ball as far as he can throw. A smart offense will have one or two people jump for the ball, with any leftover receivers around the perimeter of the jump area, in hopes that a tip falls into one of their hands. Really, the only thing you can say as a defender if you're unfortunate to witness a successful Hail Mary first hand is "dude......"





1. Hook and Ladder
Drum roll please... the hook and ladder is the most annoying play of all time to defend. It always seems to end either ends as a broken up pass or a touchdown - nothing in the middle. It strikes out of nowhere and leaves even the nimblest defensive backs dead in their tracks. I'm convinced the only way to defend this well is to know that its coming.