Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
X Fade out of I Form Wing (22 personnel) is a one-man high shot play built off the outside receiver. The X runs a fade up the sideline, while the TE/wing runs a corner route from the middle of the formation and the HB releases into the flat with a wheel-style route working up the numbers. This is a man beater designed to win on a back shoulder or up the ladder throw against outside leverage corners, with the primary read being the X fade one-on-one and the HB wheel as the outlet if the corner has inside leverage or safety help rolls over the top.
Defensive Reads
Identify the corner alignment on the X pre-snap, press man or off man with inside leverage tells you the fade is live for a back shoulder throw. Watch the deep safety rotation at the snap, a single high safety rotating late to the X side means the quarterback will likely put this in the bucket outside the numbers. Key the flat defender or outside linebacker on the HB wheel release, if he widens with the HB the middle of the field opens for the TE corner route instead. Cover 2 shells with a corner sitting on the flat and safety capping the fade shut this route down, force the quarterback to check down to the HB. Watch for user lurk defenders dropping into the throwing lane on the TE corner route, this is the route most likely to get jumped by a rallying linebacker or nickel defender.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for single high safety or two high shells before the snap, this play thrives when the corner is playing press or off man with no safety help over the top.
Use the X fade in the red zone or on third and long when you need a jump ball throw to a bigger receiver, back shoulder placement is key against tight coverage.
If the defense shows Cover 2 or Cover 4 with two deep safeties, look to the HB wheel route out of the backfield as your hot read since the fade will likely be capped.
Pair this play with HB Lead or HB Power O from the same Wing I Form set to keep the defense honest on early downs, then dial up X Fade once you see linebackers creeping up expecting run.
Motion the wing TE pre-snap if your playbook allows to get a free access read on man versus zone before the ball is snapped.
