Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Fake Reverse is a play-action pass out of the Shotgun Bunch 11 personnel look that sells the end around/reverse fake to the bunch side before releasing into a route concept. The diagram shows the running back and a bunch receiver crossing paths on the fake handoff action toward the boundary while the true route develops downfield with a sharp in-breaking route off the same mesh point. Since only one clear route is shown breaking vertically off the run fake, the primary read is that receiver working across the middle after the play fake freezes second-level defenders, with the run fake itself acting as the first look for cutback lanes if the defense bites hard on the reverse action.
Defensive Reads
Key the flow of linebackers immediately after the snap, if they flow hard toward the fake reverse side you have a numbers advantage on the delayed route breaking back across the field. Watch safety depth pre-snap, a single high safety cheating toward the bunch side suggests robber or Cover 3 rotation that can be exploited if the underneath defenders bite on the run fake. Identify man coverage by checking if the cornerback aligned on the bunch stack follows the motion or fake action tightly, since Fake Reverse struggles against disciplined man defenders who stay home. This concept is shut down by teams that spy the backfield with a linebacker or defensive lineman rather than pursuing the fake, so watch for a defender staying flat-footed instead of flowing. Look for user-controlled defenders lurking in the shallow crossing lane, since a smart human defender sitting on the reverse fake instead of biting will jump the underneath route for a big hit or turnover.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and medium) when defenses are keyed to stop the run and are selling out to the flat on reverse tendencies. Watch pre-snap for linebackers cheating toward the bunch or an overhang defender crashing down hard on run fakes, both are green lights to trust the play fake. Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or slant if the defense shows Cover 0 or man pressure, giving you a hot answer versus blitzes. Pair this call with actual HB Sweep or End Around from the same set earlier in a drive so the fake carries real weight once defenders start jumping the reverse action. Best used against aggressive, run-fit heavy defenses rather than passive zone shells that stay disciplined on eye control.
