Playbooks
HB Slash Fk End Ard
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Slash Fk End Ard is a run-based misdirection concept out of Singleback Wing 12 personnel that fakes the end around look before the halfback slashes back through the interior. The blocking scheme pulls the backside guard or tight end across the formation to seal the edge defender who bites on the fake, creating a natural cutback lane. This is a run play designed to punish overaggressive edge defenders and linebackers who key on the flow of the fake end around motion, and the primary read progression starts with the playside gap before working to the cutback lane if the defense flows hard with the initial fake.
Defensive Reads
Key the playside defensive end and outside linebacker before the snap, if they are shaded wide anticipating outside run or end around, the interior cutback lane will be there. Watch linebacker depth and flow post-snap, if the mike and will linebackers flow hard toward the fake motion, take the cutback immediately instead of pressing the mesh point. Identify run blitzes and gap-exchange fronts, since defenders crossing gaps to counter misdirection can blow this play up if they do not respect the initial fake. Look for a spy or a defender staying home in the backfield, disciplined defenses that do not bite on the end around fake will fill the cutback lane and limit this run to minimal gain. Check safety depth, if safeties cheat down expecting run support against 12 personnel, the cutback lane narrows and you may need to bounce it outside instead.
Usage Tips
Run this play against defenses that have shown aggressive edge crash tendencies or heavy pursuit flow on previous snaps since the fake end around action is what creates the cutback window.
Use it on early downs like first and ten or second and short so the defense has no reason to suspect a designed cutback run behind the misdirection.
Watch the defensive ends and outside linebackers before the snap, if they are lined up wide and crashing hard on jet or end around motion in your game plan history, this play will hit big.
Pair this call with actual End Around Lead and PA End Around from the same set so the defense cannot key on the fake versus the real thing, forcing linebackers to freeze instead of flowing.
If the defense stacks the box with extra run defenders, check to a play-action shot like PA Misdirection Shot or Close PA Sail to punish the aggressive front.
