Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Delay is a designed delayed handoff/screen action out of Singleback Wing 12 personnel, showing five in-line pass protectors up front with the fullback releasing on a quick angle route into the flat while the halfback sits at the mound before slipping through the line on a delayed draw path. The two outside receivers stem vertical routes to hold the safeties and clear the underneath area for the delay action, making this a zone beater designed to exploit linebackers who bite on the initial pass drops. Primary read progression starts with the halfback delay through the middle once the interior blockers create a lane, then works to the fullback angle route in the flat as the checkdown if linebackers stay home.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if linebackers are stacked tight to the line, since aggressive blitz alignments and nano blitz packages can blow up the delay before the halfback gets going. Look for Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells where linebackers drop deep off the snap, as this creates the natural window this play is built to exploit underneath. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's first step, if he flows hard to run support on the initial fake, the delay lane opens wide for the halfback. User linebackers spying the backfield or sitting in a lurk technique in the intermediate middle zone can jump the delay route and blow it up for a loss. Man coverage with linebackers in tight man match on the fullback can eliminate the flat checkdown, forcing the halfback delay to be the only viable option against disciplined defenses.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs like 1st or 2nd and short to medium yardage when defenses expect a standard dropback pass and are more likely to rush upfield or drop into shallow zone coverage.
Watch for linebackers biting hard on the vertical releases from the outside receivers, since that flow is exactly what opens the delay lane for the halfback.
Hold the ball just long enough for the offensive line to sustain blocks before hitting the halfback on the delay, but do not hesitate so long that backside pressure collapses the pocket.
Pair this with HB Dive or 26 Duo earlier in a drive to condition the defense to react to quick interior run keys, then dial up HB Delay to punish linebackers who key run flow too fast.
Against aggressive man blitz teams, check to PA Boot Lt or PA Power O out of the same personnel to keep defenders guessing between play-action shots and the delayed run-pass look.
