Dummy (football)

A dummy or feint is an association football (soccer), rugby league and rugby union term used to refer to a particular player deceiving the opposition into believing he is going to pass, shoot or receive the ball and instead doing something entirely different, thus gaining an advantage.

Association football

In association football, a dummy is used most often in offensive free kick situations. A player will run to the ball and look as if to strike the ball, but instead leave it (or touch it slightly) for another player to shoot. The next most common instance is also an offensive situation, in which a player, in a reasonable shooting area, fakes a shot to trick a defender coming in for a tackle and have him flinch away. This allows the player to go around the defender and shoot from a closer distance. This dummy can also be used on a goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.

Rugby league and rugby union

In rugby league football and rugby union, a dummy has a similar meaning, but is generally confined to a player leading their opposing players into believing that they are about to pass or kick the ball, but instead retaining and running with the ball. This has the effect of drawing defending players to the apparent recipient of the 'dummy pass' or likely target area of the 'dummy kick'.