On the lighter side of things: Neat little trick play in HS ball...

I think you are being a bit harsh. The "gimmick" plays are one thing, a well executed "trick play" is a staple of football. The fake punt, the onside kick, all considered "trick plays." Heck, do you call the tackle eligible play a gimmick? I may be parsing words here, but wouldn't you call misdirection plays, as in the reverse or double reverse, a trick play in itself?

I'll admit, I've had a tendency to look at "gimmick plays" in college football as a sign of desperation. Some consider it a chance to give a team the emotional boost they may have been lacking throughout the game. (I call that motivation, ie: coaching) In the other case scenario I see it as a play to gain some yards because the team can't, otherwise.

I know...semantics, right?

 

You never said what you though was considered a gimmick play.

Fake punts, onside kicks and reverses are considered football plays in my book.

Hook and Laterals are more of the trick play variety.

Manning's fake spike, the one you posted and most of the ones people have described I would consider Gimmicky. Much like when Wisconsin ran out the clock on Penn via a loophole in the rules. I can understand these plays when in desperation, they are probably more successful than a hail mary.

 

To clarify.. the stuff like leaving a guy by the sideline.. blantant trickery.. the hook and lateral or the flea flicker are just "misdirection" plays... fake punts and onside kicks are just football plays...