Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Cheat TE Double Pass is a trick play out of Pistol Tight Y Off Flex that disguises itself as a run or flat pass before flipping the ball back across the field. The initial ball carrier runs a shallow flat route toward the boundary while a receiver drags behind him in the backfield, sets up as the "cheater," then throws back to a deep crosser breaking to the opposite sideline while two other receivers stem vertical and post from the far side to clear coverage. Blocking up front is minimal since this is a gadget concept, so the offensive line and TE/backfield help must hold up long enough for the double pass exchange to develop. The primary read progression starts with the flat man selling the pitch, then the double pass thrower looks for the deep crosser first before working to the vertical or post breaking routes if the defense sniffs out the trick.
Defensive Reads
Diagnose the fake run or flat action instantly, if the flat defender bites hard on the pitch man that is your first clue this is a gadget play Key the deep crosser as soon as the double pass trigger man turns to throw, that route is the primary target and the one you must jump with your user defender Spy or user control a linebacker on the initial ball carrier through the mesh point, disciplined LBs who do not overrun the flat kill this play before the second throw happens Check safety depth pre snap, a two high shell with disciplined deep defenders can rally to the crossing route and the post route on the backside Watch for a slot corner or nickel defender sitting in a shallow zone drop, if he stays home instead of chasing the flat fake he can undercut the double pass throw
Usage Tips
Only call this out of your gadget package on early downs or after establishing HB Zone and Cheat HB Zone so the defense respects the run action first
Watch for aggressive linebackers flowing hard to the flat pre snap, that overpursuit is exactly what opens the double pass window
Use motion pre snap to confirm man versus zone, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you are likely getting man coverage which is dangerous for this trick concept
Sequence this play after Cheat HB Double Pass and Bench Switch in the same set so defenses cannot key on formation tendencies
Avoid calling this on third and long or in the red zone since the double pass exchange takes time to develop and any penetration blows up the entire concept
