Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Jet Fk Shovel is a misdirection run play out of the I Form Slot set that combines jet motion with a fake shovel option look. Pre-snap jet motion sweeps across the formation as a decoy (yellow arrow) while the quarterback fakes the shovel pass to the man in motion before working the actual ball carrier on the shovel path underneath (red arrow) with an OL puller leading through the hole. This is a run play designed to freeze linebackers with the jet fake and shovel mesh, and the primary read is the frontside linebacker fit: if he bites on the jet action or flows hard to the shovel fake, the runner presses the crease created by the puller.
Defensive Reads
Key the second level linebackers pre-snap for tight run fit alignment, since this play is designed to exploit fast flow toward jet motion. If the defense stays disciplined and keeps a linebacker home on the shovel mesh point, the play has no natural crease and should be avoided. Watch for a user-controlled linebacker spying the mesh area, as a smart defender sitting on the shovel fake can blow up the play before the puller gets in front of the runner. Man coverage that carries the jet motion man across the field creates natural horizontal spacing and clears the shovel lane, so attack aggressive man leverage corners. Base 4-3 or 4-4 fronts with linebackers flowing hard to run action are the most vulnerable, while gap-sound zone fronts with disciplined linebacker eyes shut this concept down.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to check if the defense is playing man or zone based on whether a defender runs with the jet man across the formation.
This play hits best against aggressive run fits where linebackers key the backfield fast, so save it for early down and medium distance situations like 1st and 10 or 2nd and 5 to keep defenses honest.
Pair this with PA Jet Sweep and Jet Sweep from the same set so defenders cannot sit on the shovel fake once they have seen the outside jet action hit for a big gain.
If the defense shows heavy box counts or a run blitz look pre-snap, consider audibling to Bubble Screen or HB Slip Screen to punish the aggression instead of running into a stacked front.
Watch the Mike linebacker post-snap: if he flows hard toward the jet motion side, take the shovel read directly downhill through the vacated gap.
