Playbooks
TE Shake
Quick Reference
Breakdown
TE Shake is a play-action flood concept out of Singleback Ace Double Wing that stresses one side of the field with three levels of routes. The backside X runs a deep drag across the field while the frontside TE runs a corner route and the outside X runs a swing to the flat, with the HB releasing on a delayed wheel/flat route underneath. The play-action fake from under center holds linebackers and safeties for a beat, and the primary read progression starts with the corner route to the flat, then works back to the deep crossing drag if the flood side is capped.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake it confirms they are vulnerable to the flood concept behind them. Key the flat defender or curl to flat zone defender, if he sinks with the corner route the swing route underneath should be open. Check safety rotation post snap, a single high safety rotating late means Cover 3 or Cover 1 which opens the deep drag as a big gain option. User the deep corner route defender if you are playing defense, since that route is the primary answer against both Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells. Watch for a Cover 4 or Cover 6 shell with two deep safeties splitting the field, this can shut down the corner route and force the quarterback into the drag or swing as the only outlets.
Usage Tips
Sell the play-action fake by holding the run button briefly before releasing into your progression so linebackers bite on the run fake.
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing zone with off cornerballs or man with tight press alignment, since this concept flood works best against zone shells like Cover 3 and Cover 2.
If you see Cover 2, hot route the corner route to hold longer since it will settle in the deep hole between the corner and safety.
Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage since the play-action fake carries more weight when the defense respects the run.
Pair this with HB Stretch or HB Power O earlier in a drive to set up the play fake, then hit them with TE Shake once linebackers start crashing downhill on run reads.
