Playbooks
Breakdown
Cheat HB Slash is a run/pass hybrid look out of Singleback Bunch X Nasty that uses a wide receiver motion to shift the bunch formation before the snap. Off the snap the outside receiver runs a deep cross while the two remaining bunch receivers work a shallow drag and flat combo underneath, and the HB slashes downhill through the line on a designed run hit behind the line's blocking surface. The primary read progression starts with the HB run lane pre-snap and post-snap, then works to the underneath drag and flat combo if the box is loaded, making this a flexible zone beater when linebackers overcommit to the motion or run fit.
Defensive Reads
Watch the second level defenders during the pre-snap motion, if they slide with the motion man it is likely man coverage and the deep cross can win against man beaters. Key the linebacker depth at the snap, shallow linebackers who crash down on the run action open up the drag and flat combo behind them. This play struggles against disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers at home in their run fit while dropping into underneath zones, since the flat and drag routes get taken away. User controlled defenders sitting in a lurk position over the middle can jump the drag route, so be ready to check down to the flat man if you see a defender crashing on that throwing lane. Heavy run blitz packages with an extra defender crashing downhill can blow up the HB slash before it develops, so respect overloaded box counts pre-snap and be ready to bail into the pass option.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is playing man (defenders will follow the motion man across the formation) or zone (defenders will stay in their landmarks).
Call this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage since the run action and light box counts are more effective when the defense is not selling out for a pass.
If you see a stacked box or run blitz look, hot route the drag runner into a quick option route or check the flat man for a fast outlet throw before committing to the HB run.
Pair this with PA Boot or PA Boot Slide from the same set so the defense has to respect both the run action and the play action boot off similar formation and motion, keeping linebackers honest.
Against aggressive nano blitz packages, snap the ball quickly off the motion to catch defenders still adjusting their run fits before they can time up an interior blitz.
