"As if" is not, but "as" (used twice in this sentence) is an indicator of a simile.
What are the comparisons made?
Can "as if" be used in a simile similarly to the singular "as" or "like"? For example:
"As if physical activity were a carrot to dangle as a reward or yank away as a punishment."
3 answers
Are you indicating that the following sentence is a simile? The comparison would be children's eligibility to have recess to a carrot dangling over someone who is attempting to grasp it.
Carrot = reward
No carrot = punishment
Follow the instances of "as" -- not "as if."
No carrot = punishment
Follow the instances of "as" -- not "as if."