Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Delay out of Singleback Trio (11 personnel) shows three vertical routes stacked on the left side from the receivers and the TE, clearing out the underneath zones and taking the top off the coverage. The HB starts as a pass blocker before slipping out on a delayed release up the middle, which is the actual design of this play, a delay screen/leak concept disguised as a pass-heavy look. The blocking scheme up front holds protection to sell the deep drop, then releases the HB late so linebackers and underneath defenders flow with the verticals and lose track of him. Primary read progression: check the three verticals first if the defense shows man coverage or blitz, then come back to the delayed HB release as the built-in outlet once the pocket has held for a beat.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker at the snap, if he immediately widens to rush or drops deep without checking the backfield the HB Delay lane is wide open. Watch for a lurking user defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, a smart user player will sit on the delay release and jump it for a big hit or pick. Check safety depth pre-snap, if both safeties are shaded to help over the top on verticals the middle of the field is exposed for the delayed HB release. Man coverage with no underneath help defenders is where this play is most vulnerable to being sniffed out, since a spy or a linebacker staying home can blow up the concept immediately. Blitz packages that send extra rushers but leave a linebacker in man on the HB out of the backfield will completely shut down the delay, so recognize five or six man pressure with tight man coverage on the back and be ready to check the play.
Usage Tips
Let the play develop for a full one to two seconds before looking to the HB, the delay only works if you sell the pass drop and let the offensive line hold up front. Use this on early downs or in obvious passing situations where the defense is expecting a quick throw or a blitz look, since aggressive pass rush lanes actually help open the delay release. Watch pre-snap for stacked or crashing linebackers, if they are keying run or showing blitz the delay hits even harder because they will vacate the middle of the field chasing the quarterback. Pair this with Slants or Spot earlier in a series to condition the defense into fast underneath reactions, then dial up HB Delay to punish overaggressive linebacker flow. If the defense sits back in a soft zone shell, be ready to reset the play, the verticals can still win one-on-one against zone if a safety bites on the delay fake.
