Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
End Around Lead out of Singleback Bunch Ace is a trick run play designed to get the ball to the backside receiver on an end around while a lead blocker clears the edge. Off the diagram, the receiver stacked outside the bunch takes the handoff and runs the ball across the formation to the opposite edge, with a second bunch receiver crossing underneath to serve as the lead blocker at the point of attack. The offensive line down blocks to sell the misdirection, and the primary read is simply hitting the edge before the defense flows with the run action, using the lead blocker to erase the first defender off the edge.
Defensive Reads
Watch for the play side defensive end or outside linebacker crashing hard down inside at the snap, that is the biggest indicator the offense is setting up an end around counter. Key the backside cornerback and safety depth, if they are sitting flat footed reading the line instead of maintaining outside contain they will get gashed on the reverse action. Identify user controlled defenders spying the backfield motion rather than committing to the run fit, since a disciplined user linebacker can blow this play up by staying home on the edge. Look for a defense that keeps its defensive end unblocked and squeezed outside, forcing the ball carrier to bounce it wider than the lead blocker can handle. This play struggles against contain based fronts and any coverage that keeps an extra defender assigned to string out reverse and end around action.
Usage Tips
Call this play when the defense has shown aggressive run fits toward the strength of the formation on previous snaps, since the end around action attacks the backside edge the defense vacates. Use it on early downs in normal down and distance situations so it blends in with your base run calls out of Bunch Ace instead of tipping a trick play. Pre snap, check if the defense is crashing hard to the bunch side or if the play side outside linebacker is squeezing inside, both are green lights to run this. Sequence this play behind Inside Zone Split or Duo out of the same set so the defense keys inside zone flow first, then hit them with the end around once linebackers start flowing hard to the strength call. Avoid calling this into aggressive edge blitzes or contain packages that keep an extra defender wide, since the lead blocker will not have a hat for a second edge defender.
