Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Fake HB Zone QB Bootlt is a play-action bootleg out of Singleback Ace Double Wing that sells inside zone action before rolling the quarterback to the left edge. The offensive line executes zone run steps to freeze linebackers and second level defenders, while the QB carries out the fake and rolls out with run/pass options attached. This is a play-action man and zone beater built for explosive gains, with the primary read progression starting on the flat or shallow crosser to hold underneath defenders, then working to the intermediate out or corner breaking route as the QB drifts outside the tackle box, with the run lane as a built-in checkdown if the edge defender bites on the pass.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side outside linebacker or defensive end first, since if he sits home on the boot instead of crashing on the run fake, your throwing window shrinks and you should tuck it down. Read the flow of the linebackers at the snap, because heavy zone teams that flow hard to the fake leave the flat and intermediate windows wide open behind them. Identify single high versus two high safety shells pre-snap, since a two high shell with the safety rotating late signals zone drops underneath that favor the corner route over the flat. Key any user-controlled defender spying the QB or sitting in the throwing lane, as that lurk threat is the biggest risk to this boot concept. Against man coverage, look for the backside cornerback trailing tight, which tells you the drag or slant conversion route will separate quickly once you hot route it.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or manageable third downs when you have already established the HB Zone Wk or HB Dive run to make the fake believable to the linebackers and safeties. Check the defensive alignment pre-snap for run blitzes or a safety cheating into the box, since that tells you the fake will hold defenders long enough for the boot to hit clean. Use your hot route to convert the backside receiver into a drag or slant if you diagnose man coverage, giving you an instant answer versus blitz looks. If the defense shows a hard edge or contain defender crashing down every snap, pair this with Escort PA Sprint Rt or PA Boot Lt to keep them honest on the opposite side. Take off and run yourself if the flow defenders squeeze the throwing lanes, since the QB has the run option baked in as the roll develops.
