Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
HB Slash Fk End Arnd is a run play out of Singleback Bunch that dresses up an end around fake to hold the edge defenders and linebackers before the ball is actually handed off on the slash path behind the line. The diagram shows the offensive line firing out with the fullback/H-back sealing the point of attack while the running back takes the fake handoff motion path before the true ball carrier cuts up through the line on the red route. Both outside receivers are stationed on vertical releases to occupy the cornerbacks and safeties, clearing the alley for the run. This is a run play designed to punish overpursuing linebackers and aggressive edge defenders who bite on the end around action, and the primary read progression starts with the frontside gap created by the fullback block before working backside if flow is too heavy.
Defensive Reads
Key the playside linebacker at the snap, if he immediately flows toward the perimeter fake he is out of position for the actual run through the interior gap. Watch the fullback or H-back's block, his target defender tells you exactly which gap the offense intends to hit. Man coverage on the outside receivers is largely irrelevant to stopping this play since it is a designed run, so focus your user controlled defender inside the box rather than dropping deep. Disciplined linebackers who stay square and read the ball instead of chasing the fake end around motion will blow this play up immediately. Stacking the box with an extra defender or spying the backfield with a linebacker takes away the cutback lane this play is designed to exploit.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage where defenses expect a standard run or the actual end around look.
Watch for linebackers cheating toward the perimeter presnap, since that flow confirms the fake will hold them long enough for the cutback lane to open.
Pair this with straight End Around or Pitch WR Reverse earlier in a drive so the defense has already been burned by the perimeter action, making them freeze harder on this fake.
Use the right stick to manually guide your blocker into the correct alley if the defense stacks the box, since the scripted blocking can whiff against odd fronts.
Avoid this call against disciplined defenses that stay home on run fits, since it relies heavily on linebacker misdirection to create the cutback window.
