There are a few situations in which you cannot view the play art.
If you or your opponent is on offense and has a WR in auto-motion, you cannot see the play art. You won't be able to see your own play art on defense if the WR is in auto-motion so that's a tip on how you can tell if it's auto-motion or not. You won't be able to see it on offense either after you've clicked X or A to make the WR go in motion.
If your opponent has started the kick meter, you will not be able to see your play art because it's like the play has already started.. but the clock doesn't run [or it shouldn't at least.]