Playbooks
Fake Fg K Direct Snap is a trick run play out of the Special formation Field Goal set where the snap goes straight to the kicker instead of the holder, catching defenses that key on standard field goal personnel off guard. There is no route concept here since this is a designed direct snap run, with the kicker taking the snap and following blocking up the middle or off tackle behind the field goal protection unit. The primary read is presnap: identify whether the defense is selling out on the block versus lining up in a standard field goal rush look, and once the ball is snapped the kicker reads the first crease created by the interior protectors before committing to a lane.
Watch for the defense selling out with an all out field goal block rush, since overcommitted edge rushers open the interior lanes this play is designed to exploit. If the defense keeps contain and does not crash the middle, the direct snap run has nowhere to go and gets shut down quickly. Look for a defender spying the kicker or holder presnap, which usually signals the CPU or user has scouted the fake and will blow it up immediately. Post snap, track whether interior rushers stay square to the line of scrimmage instead of shooting gaps, since disciplined gap integrity kills this run before it develops. Beware of a user controlled defender staying home in the middle of the field instead of rushing, since that lurking defender is the single biggest threat to tackle the kicker for a loss.
Only call this in spots where the defense has shown lazy or complacent field goal rush tendencies, such as leverage situations or when they have not been burned by a fake all game.
Check presnap for defenders creeping off the line or safeties standing flat footed, since an aggressive rush look actually opens bigger lanes for the direct snap once the rushers commit upfield.
Mix this into your fake field goal sequence alongside Fake Fg Holder Blast and Fake Fg Holder Power so the defense cannot key on personnel or ball handler tendencies.
Use this on 4th and short or in two minute situations where the opponent is more likely to rush the field goal block without accounting for a fake.
Snap the ball with rhythm and do not hesitate presnap, since any hard count or delay tips off the defense that something other than a standard kick is coming.