What is "fumblerooski"

n. (context American football English) A trick play wherein the quarterback deliberately places or leaves the ball on the ground upon receiving it from the center, technically fumbling it, after which the backs run to the right, deceiving the defense into following them, while the right guard picks up the ball and run to the left.

In American football, the fumblerooski is a trick play. In the fumblerooski, the quarterback deliberately places or leaves the ball on the ground upon receiving it from the center, technically fumbling it. The backs will run to the right, and the right guard will pick up the ball and run to the left. The NCAA banned the play following the 1992 season and the NFL has considered it a "forward fumble" for many years making it illegal. Legal variations of the play's general strategy are still sometimes used.