Playbooks
Breakdown
Pitch WR Reverse is a trick run play out of Singleback Wing Close with 12 personnel that starts as an HB toss action to one side before flipping the ball back to the WR coming across the formation on the reverse path. The play side shows the offensive line and TEs pulling to seal the edge and lead the way, with the yellow arrow marking the HB toss path that sets up the fake before the handoff on the reverse. Since only one route is shown running a vertical release with no other pass concepts drawn, this is a pure misdirection run play designed to attack overaggressive run flow rather than a coverage shell. Primary read progression is simple: the ball carrier reads the edge blocks on the reverse side and looks to press the alley created by the pulling blockers before cutting upfield.
Defensive Reads
Key the backside defensive end and outside linebacker first. If they crash down hard on the initial toss action without maintaining edge discipline, the reverse will have a clean alley to the boundary. Watch for a user-controlled defender staying home on the backside or spying the reverse path, since that is the primary counter to this concept. Check pre-snap safety depth and alignment. Safeties rotating hard to the play side toss action leave the backside deep third or half vulnerable if the reverse turns the corner. Look for teams calling outside run contain calls or scrape exchange linebacker techniques, as these are designed specifically to diagnose and blow up reverse action before the ball carrier gets started. Post-snap, track linebacker pursuit angles. Overpursuing linebackers flowing hard with the toss fake open up cutback lanes for the reverse ball carrier once he clears the edge.
Usage Tips
Call this play when the defense has shown consistent flow to the toss or outside run action in previous snaps so the reverse hits against overcommitted linebackers and defensive ends. Best used on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage where defenders are playing downhill and not respecting misdirection. Pair this with HB Zone Toss or HB Toss Fk Reverse earlier in a series so the defense keys the same toss action and bites hard before you pull the ball back on the WR reverse. Watch the CB and safety alignment pre-snap. If they are crashing hard on run support to the toss side, that confirms the reverse lane will be wide open on the backside. Avoid calling this against disciplined defenses that play assignment football with a spy or backside contain defender, since those are the exact scheme fits designed to shut down reverse action.
