Football Library · Plays
Flea Flicker· 6v6 Flag
Trick play that sells run, then attacks deep. QB hands to a back / WR going forward to the LOS; that player runs hard as if rushing, then PITCHES the ball BACK to the QB still behind the LOS. The defense has already triggered on the run fake; deep receivers clear out and find the void behind the now-collapsing safeties. Two backwards passes / handoffs, one deep throw. Best after the run game has been established — the defense has to believe the fake.
Coaching breakdown
Flea Flicker — Trick play that sells run, then attacks deep. QB hands to a back / WR going forward to the LOS; that player runs hard as if rushing, then PITCHES the ball BACK to the QB still behind the LOS. The defense has already triggered on the run fake; deep receivers clear out and find the void behind the now-collapsing safeties. Two backwards passes / handoffs, one deep throw. Best after the run game has been established — the defense has to believe the fake. Run from Spread Doubles. The handoff sets up the play; see the OL + receiver bullets below for each player's job.
- @QB: take the handoff, press the LOS, and read the playside LB — if he scrapes, cut back; if he fills, bounce.
- : take the handoff, press the LOS, and read the playside LB — if he scrapes, cut back; if he fills, bounce.
- : 18-yard post inside — plant hard at the break, separate from the safety.
- : 4-yard drag inside — shallow cross, find the void in zone.
- : 4-yard drag inside — shallow cross, find the void in zone.
- : 4-yard flat to the sideline — release flat — outlet for the QB.
Ball flow:
- Snap: @QB hands to 2 yards right of center, 3 yards behind the LOS.
- Then: pitches back to @QB 1 yard right of center, 5 yards behind the LOS.
When to call it
Trick play — best after establishing the run game so safeties are biting on run-action. Usually 1st-and-10 or 2nd-and-short, ideally between the 30s. One-time call: defenses adjust the second time they see it.
Common mistakes
- QB shows the pass too early; safeties don't bite and the deep routes get smothered.
- Back doesn't sell the run hard enough; should be at full speed before the pitch back.
- Deep receiver releases vertically too quickly; should release lazily then accelerate to sell the run-block.
- Pitch back to QB is sloppy; should be a clean underhand pitch, not a forward toss.