Playbooks

Scene 44-4

Singleback·Wing·12
Run Play
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback
SetWing

In 1 playbook

Nickmovie OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Scene 44-4 out of Singleback Wing 12 personnel is a play-action concept designed to hold the second level with a run fake before working a route combo that attacks the middle and intermediate zones. The blocking scheme sells inside zone or gap run action to freeze linebackers, giving the quarterback time to work a progression that typically starts with a crossing or seam route from one of the two tight ends before working outside to a boundary receiver. This play functions as a zone beater against split safety shells since the play-action hold creates natural throwing lanes over the linebackers and behind the underneath zone defenders, though it can also punish aggressive man coverage if the primary read wins on a rub or natural pick from the tight end alignment.

Defensive Reads

Identify pre-snap whether the defense is in a two high or single high safety shell, since two high tells you linebackers will likely be baited by the run fake and vacate the middle. Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he steps up hard on the run fake you have a clean throwing window to the tight end working the intermediate middle. Key the flow of the strong side linebacker or nickel defender, if he sinks into a shallow zone drop rather than reading run he is anticipating the play-action and will jump the crossing route. Look for a user controlled defender lurking underneath in the middle of the field, since that lurk threat is the primary danger to this play's main progression read. This play struggles against aggressive man blitzes that ignore the run fake entirely, so if you see a nano blitz alignment pre-snap consider audibling into a quicker hot route or checking to a different play in the set like TE Stick.

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs, first or second and short to medium, when defenses expect run based on the 12 personnel grouping and Wing formation. Check for two high safeties pre-snap since that shell tells you the linebackers are more likely to bite on the run fake, opening up the play-action window over the middle. If the defense shows single high or a heavy box, hot route your outside receiver into a quick out or slant to give yourself a fast answer against man coverage or a blitz look. Pair this play in sequence with HB Power O or HB Blunt Dive earlier in a series so the defense keys run recognition off the same personnel and formation, making the play-action hold in Scene 44-4 more effective later in the game. Combine with PA Boot Lt or PA Middle in your call sheet to keep defenders guessing between boot action and this play's straight drop play-action look.

Other Plays in Wing