Playbooks

Reload Shock HB Choice

Shotgun·Trips TE·11

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Breakdown

Reload Shock HB Choice is a run/pass hybrid built around a choice route out of the backfield, with the trips side occupying the deep defenders while the halfback reads the leverage of the flat defender to break inside or outside. The offensive line executes a shock blocking scheme that sells inside zone action before releasing the back into his choice route, making this an effective man beater against linebackers stuck in man coverage on the backfield. The primary read progression starts with the HB choice route against the underneath defender, then works to the trips side if the linebacker or nickel corner sits flat footed and covers the route correctly.

Defensive Reads

Watch the strong side linebacker depth at the snap, if he bites hard on the shock run fake the choice route will separate immediately for an easy completion. Identify man coverage by checking if the defender assigned to the HB mirrors his release out of the backfield rather than sitting in a zone drop, this confirms the choice route will win. Look for a spy or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, since a disciplined user controlled linebacker can jump the choice route if he reads the quarterback's eyes early. Check safety rotation before the snap, two deep shells with underneath zone coverage from linebackers can take away both the choice route and the trips concepts, forcing you to check down or scramble. Beware of a blitz off the edge that arrives before the shock fake resolves, since this play needs the run fake to hold for a full beat to open the choice route against aggressive nano blitz packages.

Usage Tips

Use this play on second and short or third and short when defenses expect run action from the shock blocking look, since the play-action mesh will freeze linebackers just long enough for the choice route to break open. Check the pre-snap alignment of the strong side linebacker or nickel defender, if he is walked up tight to the line in man coverage the HB choice is nearly automatic since the back can break away from his leverage. Motion the trips receivers or use a hot route to convert one into a quick out if you see zone drop defenders sitting underneath, this clears traffic for the choice route read. Pair this play with Reload RPO Zone Alert Bubble and Reload PA Unders in the same set to keep defenses guessing between run action, bubble screens, and the choice route concept without changing your presnap look. Avoid calling this against heavy zone shells like Tampa 2 or 3 deep zone unless you have hot routed a trips receiver into the intermediate void, since the choice route alone will not consistently beat zone defenders sitting underneath.

Other Plays in Trips TE