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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
HB Slash Fk End Arnd is a run play out of Singleback Bunch Ace with 12 personnel that disguises misdirection through a fake end around fake. The diagram shows the HB starting behind the QB and slashing downhill through the middle of the formation off the fake action to the flank, with the offensive line executing a base run blocking scheme up front and the bunch receivers holding their stems to sell the perimeter fake. This is a run play designed to punish overaggressive run fits, and the primary read progression for the ball carrier is to press the line of scrimmage, read the frontside double team and cutback lane before deciding between the designed slash gap and a backside cutback if flow overcommits to the fake.
Defensive Reads
Key the playside linebacker and edge defender immediately at the snap, if they flow hard toward the fake perimeter action without hesitation the cutback lane through the middle will be there for the HB. Watch for a user controlled defender spying the backfield instead of committing to run fits, this is the primary counter to the fake and will blow up the slash timing. Check safety depth before the snap, safeties sitting deep in a two high shell are less likely to bite on the fake and can rotate down quickly to fill the cutback lane. Identify if the defense is in a run blitz or gap exchange front, since defenders crossing gaps to contain the fake perimeter action creates natural running lanes for the interior slash. Look for linebackers reading the mesh point and staying home rather than flowing with the fake motion, disciplined defenders like this shut down the play by staying square to the true ball carrier.
Usage Tips
Use this play when defenders have shown a tendency to crash hard on end around or jet motion fakes in earlier reps, since the misdirection only pays off once you have established the actual End Around or PA End Around from this same set.
Call this out of Bunch Ace on early downs like first and ten or second and short to keep defenses honest and prevent them from keying run fits based on personnel alone.
Watch pre-snap for linebackers cheating toward the bunch side or safeties rotating down into the box, both indicate the defense is selling out to stop perimeter action and the interior lane should be wide open.
Pair this call with HB Slash and End Around Lead in the same drive so the defense cannot distinguish between the real perimeter run and the misdirection based on the initial mesh point.
Avoid calling this on third and long or in obvious passing situations since the play design telegraphs run and defenses in pass shells will not bite on the fake.
