Flea Flicker· 6v6 Flag

advancedaka Flickeraka Halfback Flicker

Trick play — back/WR pitches ball back to QB after fake rush, deep throw off run-action.

The design

How Flea Flicker works

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.

Coach the details

: carry out the drawn backfield action, keep your eyes downfield, and run only after the progression closes.
: 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.

Call sheet

Game planTrick play — best after establishing the run game so safeties are biting on run-action.
Early downsUsually 1st-and-10 or 2nd-and-short, ideally between the 30s.
Game planOne-time call: defenses adjust the second time they see it.
Game planUse the offense's most believable run action and keep both exchanges clearly behind the line.
Game planThe quarterback drifts to a protected landmark for the return pitch, then checks the deep route before taking the intermediate outlet.

Game planIf the safeties stay deep, abort the shot and secure the ball rather than forcing the trick play's intended throw.

Pre-snap to post-snap

One-time call: defenses adjust the second time they see it.
The defense has already triggered on the run fake; deep receivers clear out and find the void behind the now-collapsing safeties.
Best after the run game has been established — the defense has to believe the fake.

Cover 0: Anything that develops slowly — pressure gets home first Better answers: Four Verticals, Mesh, Slant-Flat, Smash
Cover 1: Outside vertical shots — the free safety caps them over the top Better answers: Mesh, Drive, Smash, Y-Cross, Four Verticals, Levels
Cover 2: The flats — the corner squats and jumps anything quick outside Better answers: Smash, Four Verticals, Flood
Tampa 2: The deep middle — the Mike runs it, so a straight seam is contested (unlike base Cover 2) Better answers: Smash, Flood
Cover 3: Deep outside — the three-deep shell caps outside verticals Better answers: Curl-Flat, Slant-Flat, Smash, Flood, Four Verticals, Snag, Dagger, Stick
Cover 4: Deep shots — four deep defenders make it very hard to win over the top Better answers: Stick, Snag, Slant-Flat, Curl-Flat, Mesh

Troubleshooting

Avoid it before the run action has forced safeties to trigger, against pressure likely to hit the quarterback before the return pitch, or in weather that makes the backward exchange unsafe.
It is also a poor call near your own goal line, where a loose pitch or sack can become immediate points.
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.