HB Stretch

Watch for defensive tackles crashing hard down the line pre snap, which signals a gap shooting scheme that can blow up the stretch before it develops. If the playside linebacker stays square and reads instead of flowing fast, that is a sign of a disciplined zone defense that will squeeze the cutback lane. Overloaded fronts to the trips side with an extra defender in the box are a strong indicator the defense is selling out to stop this run, so consider checking to a play from the same set like Bubble Screen or RPO Alert Bubble instead. User controlled defenders sitting in the backside gap are the biggest threat to the cutback read, so if you see a defender crash down as a user lurk, commit to the playside bounce instead. Against man coverage shells with single high safety looks, this play tends to hit well because the trips receivers occupy defensive backs and prevent extra run support flowing over the top.