Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
HB Misdirection is a run play out of Strong I with H Tight Close personnel (22), showing a tight formation with the fullback and tight end stacked close to the offensive line and a single receiver split wide on each side. The backfield action shows the HB taking a lateral step away from the play call direction before the run action redirects him back downhill, using the offensive line's flow and the fullback's lead block to sell the misdirection to the linebackers. This is a run play designed to manipulate second-level defenders with counter-step footwork, and the primary read is the fullback's lead block combined with the flow of the offensive line to identify the cutback lane once the misdirection sells the linebacker flow.
Defensive Reads
Key the fullback's release angle immediately after the snap since his block target tells you the true direction of the run before the HB commits. Watch for linebackers biting on the initial misdirection step. If your Mike linebacker overruns the fake flow, this play will gash you for a cutback explosion. This play struggles against disciplined gap-sound defenses where linebackers stay square and read through the line instead of flowing on the first step they see. Post-snap, user the strong side linebacker and stay patient in your run fit rather than crashing on the first flash of backfield movement. Aggressive blitz packages that send extra defenders through the play side gap before the misdirection develops can blow this play up for a loss, so heavy pressure calls are an effective counter.
Usage Tips
Run this play on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when you have already shown base HB runs or Power O from this set to set up the misdirection sell.
Watch linebacker depth and flow pre-snap. If the Mike and Will linebackers are cheating toward the strong side before the snap, this play punishes over-aggressive run fits.
Pair HB Misdirection with Counter Weak and Power O in the same play-calling sequence so defenders cannot key on backfield direction based on your run tendencies.
Use manual control on the fullback to adjust the lead block angle if the defense shows an unblocked edge defender crashing hard.
Avoid calling this against defenses that are showing heavy blitz pre-snap since the extra hesitation step in the backfield gives blitzers more time to close on the ball carrier.
