HB Misdirection Lead

Key the linebackers' first step at the snap, if they flow hard toward the initial HB movement, the cutback lane behind the misdirection is your answer. Watch the safety alignment before the snap, single high shells with linebackers stacked tight in the box are the most vulnerable to this misdirection concept. Identify if the defense is running a scrape exchange or if the play side linebacker is staying home, since disciplined defenders that hold their gap will shut down the cutback. Look for user-controlled defenders spying the backfield instead of respecting their zone or man assignment, that lurk behind the line is the biggest threat to blowing this play up. Against a nano blitz or heavy edge pressure package, this play can get hit quickly in the backfield before the misdirection develops, so avoid calling it when the defense is loaded to the play side edge.