Understanding a Reverse Play: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you a football fan looking to improve your knowledge of the game? If so, you’ll want to know all about reverse plays.
Since their invention, reverse plays have been a popular tactic for football teams looking to outwit their opponents and gain valuable yardage. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to understand and appreciate the reverse play.
Definition of a Reverse Play
A reverse play is a strategic football move that tricks the defense into thinking the ball is heading in one direction, only to have it change direction unexpectedly. It appears as a misdirection or a criss-cross strategy.
Players run in the opposite direction of the play’s original direction, usually behind the line of scrimmage. Difference between Reverse Play and End around/Jet Sweep
Reverse plays, end arounds, and jet sweeps are similar in that players change direction.
However, an end around or jet sweep involves a handoff to a player running parallel to the line of scrimmage. The player is typically faster than the rest of the team and will use his speed to outrun the defense.
A reverse, on the other hand, involves a player who runs in the opposite direction behind the line of scrimmage.
Types of Reverse Plays
There are three types of reverse plays: single, double, and triple. A single reverse is when the ball is handed to a running back who runs in the opposite direction of the original play.
A double reverse is when the ball is handed to a wide receiver who then hands it off to a running back, who runs in the opposite direction. A triple reverse involves three handoffs in total, similar to a double reverse but with an added fake handoff.
Variations of Reverse Plays
There are several variations of reverse plays, such as the reverse pass, reverse option, handoff reverse, toss reverse, fake dive reverse, jet reverse, veer option reverse, wishbone option reverse, and counter criss-cross. These plays manipulate the defense into covering one option, only to have the offense use another option.
Reverse Play Strategy
Timing is key when running a reverse play to take advantage of the defense’s vulnerable moment. A reverse play can be executed when the defense has a heavy blitz, the corners are playing man-to-man defense, or the linebackers are playing run-heavy defense.
The formation is also an essential part of the strategy, making it harder for the defense to identify who has the ball. Lastly, reverse plays are most effective with a team that can execute handoff plays flawlessly.
Single Reverse Play
A single reverse play is a straightforward and effective strategy, most commonly used by quarterbacks on bootleg plays. It typically involves a running back carrying the ball in the opposite direction of the quarterback’s fake handoff.
The quarterback rolls out in the opposite direction of the running back and can choose from several options such as running, passing, or pitching the ball to another player. Examples of
Single Reverse Play
Running backs and wide receivers are the most common players performing a single reverse play.
A well-executed single reverse play can lead to significant yardage gained, making it a vital tool in any football team’s playbook.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding reverse plays in football can give you an advantage as a fan. It’s crucial to recognize the different types of reverse plays, their variations, and their strategies to appreciate the team’s tactics fully.
Keep in mind that a reverse play can be risky, but with the right timing, a team can score big. Add this arsenal to your knowledge of football to enjoy games even more.
3) Double Reverse Play
A double reverse play involves two handoffs, where the ball changes hands twice. The play begins with the quarterback faking a handoff to the running back going to one side of the field.
The running back then hands the ball off to a receiver who is coming the opposite way and continues running. However, instead of keeping the ball, the receiver laterals to another player, such as a running back or another receiver, who runs the opposite way.
A double reverse play should be used in moderation because it’s challenging to execute, and a mistake can result in a loss of yards or turnover.
Examples of Double Reverse Play
The double reverse play is often used by professional teams and college teams. One of the most famous double reverses was executed by Boise State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.
The Broncos were down 28-33 against Oklahoma in overtime and decided to go for it on fourth and goal. They ran a double reverse, and Vinny Perretta threw a touchdown pass to Derek Schouman.
Boise State won the game 43-42 in what was one of the most remarkable endings in college football history.
4) Triple Reverse Play
A triple reverse play involves three handoffs, where the ball is transferred thrice. The play involves several players, making it more challenging to execute.
The triple reverse is a trick move that is used to catch the defense off guard. It requires precise timing and excellent communication among the players.
The play begins with the quarterback faking a handoff to the running back, who then hands the ball to a receiver. The receiver runs in one direction and hands the ball off to another receiver who is running in the opposite direction.
The second receiver then hands the ball off to a third player, who runs with the ball.
Examples of Triple Reverse Play
The triple reverse is not a common play in football due to its complexity. The University of Texas used the triple reverse play in the 2006 Rose Bowl.
The Longhorns ran the play in the first quarter, and the ball was in the hands of three players before Selvin Young ran 12 yards for the touchdown. It was a crucial play in helping Texas beat USC 41-38.
Conclusion
In summary, the double and triple reverse plays are strategic football moves that can result in significant yardage gained if executed correctly. However, it’s essential to use these plays sparingly since they can be risky and challenging to execute.
The double reverse requires two handoffs, while the triple reverse takes three handoffs and involves several players. These plays can catch the defense off guard and result in a game-changing moment for the team.
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Variations of Reverse Plays
While reverse plays are tricky moves that can catch the defense off guard, there are several variations that add to the confusion. These variations can result in more creative play designs, allowing the offense to execute multiple types of plays from a single formation.
Here are some examples of variations of reverse plays that teams can use to confuse the defense.
Reverse Pass
The reverse pass is when an offense appears as if they are running a reverse play, only for the recipient to pass the ball downfield. This variation is effective because it creates a running play that is quickly turned into a passing play, leaving the defenders guessing.
Reverse Option
In the reverse option play, the quarterback fakes a handoff to the running back and then turns to pitch the ball to a wide receiver. The wide receiver can either run or pass the ball downfield.
This option play creates a dilemma for the defensive players who must quickly determine whether the play is off-tackle, post route, or has another variation.
Handoff Reverse
The handoff reverse is simple to execute and entails the running back receiving the ball from the quarterback or the receiver, then quickly reversing direction.
Toss Reverse
A toss reverse involves the quarterback or running back tossing the ball to a receiver coming around the corner in the opposite direction. This variation allows the receiver with the ball to use his speed to outrun the defense.
Fake Dive Reverse
The fake dive reverse play involves the quarterback faking a dive play to a running back before reversing direction and handing the ball off to a receiver coming around the opposite end. The fake dive is intended to lure the defense into committing players in the middle of the field, opening opportunities for the offense to attack the corners.
Jet Reverse
A jet reverse involves the running back receiving the ball near the edge of the line of scrimmage and using his speed to reverse direction and run around the far end.
Veer Option Reverse
In the veer option reverse play, the quarterback fakes a handoff to a running back before reversing direction and pitching the ball to a receiver going the opposite way. This play takes advantage of the defense’s indecisiveness and creates an opportunity for the offense to gain significant yardage.
Wishbone Option Reverse
The wishbone option reverse is similar to the veer option. Still, instead of having a quarterback, there are two running backs who can pitch the ball and make it more challenging for the defense to read the play.
Counter Criss-Cross
The counter criss-cross allows the quarterback to fake the handoff one way, then hand the ball off to another player coming around the opposite end. This variation confuses the defense and can open up significant yardage for the offense.
Conclusion
The variations of reverse plays in football allow teams to create clever and complex play designs that can catch the defense off guard. By using these variations, teams can execute multiple different types of plays from a single formation, making it harder for the defense to predict the next move.
The success of executing any type of variation of reverse play lies in timing, misdirection, and precision from all players involved in the play. In conclusion, reverse plays are a crucial aspect of football strategy, featuring different variations that can confuse the defense for a significant yardage gain.
These variations include the reverse pass, triple reverse, and toss reverse, among others, which take advantage of the defense’s vulnerability and the offense’s precision. Teams should use these strategies sparingly as they can be risky and demanding to execute and should account for timing and formation.
By understanding the different types of reverse plays, avid football fans can enjoy games more and appreciate the intricacies of the sport fully.
FAQs
Q: How can I determine the right time to execute a reverse play? A: Reverse plays should be used when the defense is vulnerable, such as a heavy blitz or man-to-man coverage.
Teams must study the opposition’s defensive tendencies to decide when to use the strategy. Q: How can my team execute a reverse play successfully?
A: Timing, precision, and communication are crucial for any reverse play to be successful. All players involved in the play must execute their roles flawlessly, and the formation must be set up to create a perfect misdirection.
Q: Which is the most common type of reverse play? A: The single reverse play is the most common type and involves a running back receiving the ball, running back towards the line of scrimmage, and then reversing direction to trick the defense.
Q: Does the size of team personnel matter when executing reverse plays? A: While faster players on a team may perform better in reverse plays, team personnel size has no significant relevance in the successful execution of reverse plays.
What is important is team speed and execution. Q: Why should teams use reverse plays?
A: Reverse plays are used to misdirect the defense and create confusion among the opposing team, opening up space and opportunities for the offense to make significant yards or score.