Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Goal Line Fade out of Strong I Wing (22 personnel) shows a five man protection with the fullback releasing on a swing route out of the backfield to the flat as a checkdown or man beater against blitzing linebackers. The X receiver on the line runs a vertical fade into the corner of the end zone while the Y detaches and cuts across the field on a shallow drag, and the tight end to the play side releases outward on a short out. This is a one on one jump ball fade designed to win in man coverage near the goal line, with the primary read progression starting on the outside fade for the back shoulder throw before working down to the flat and drag as the shorter, higher percentage options.
Defensive Reads
Press man coverage on the X with no deep safety help is the biggest tell that this play is live, so jump the fade route early with your corner and play through the receiver's hands for the pass breakup. Watch the fullback out of the backfield, since undisciplined user linebackers who bite on the run fake in Strong I will get beat by the swing release into the flat. Key the tight end's short out route, as zone defenders sitting in short curl or flat zones can undercut this if they read quarterback eyes quickly. A single high safety shell with the corner playing outside leverage on the fade forces the quarterback into a difficult back shoulder window, so user the safety to rob the fade from depth. Blitzing off the edge can disrupt this quickly since the protection is not built for max protect, so a well timed overload blitz forces a rushed throw on the primary read.
Usage Tips
Call this play inside the five yard line when you need a low risk shot at the end zone against man coverage. Pre-snap, identify if the corner is playing outside leverage or shading the fade, since inside leverage or a soft press look gives your X an easier win on the vertical release. If you see two high safeties rotate down into a zone shell, this is not your play, check to the FB Dive or HB Blast Alert X Smoke instead to attack the box. Hot route the drag runner deeper across the field if you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, since it can uncover as a big chunk play if the defense bites on the fade. Pair this with Mtn Power O or PA Mtn Power in the same set to keep defenses honest on early downs before dialing up the fade on second or third and short in the red zone.
