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Football Library · Plays

I Back Fake Reverse· 5v5 Flag

intermediateaka I Formation Fake Reverseaka I Back Right Fake Reverse

5v5 Flagonly

I-back run that keeps the ball with Y while Z sells the reverse coming behind the live path.

Make this play yours

Add the diagram and assignments to your playbook, then tailor the details to your team.

Try another concept

Matched to this play and your game type.

01I Back RB ChoiceShares the Quick Out + Go readBalanced I-back pass that isolates the deep back on a leverage choice in the middle.
02Split Back LeadShares the Quick Out + Go readSplit Back Lead — the right back takes the handoff left while the left back crosses right on a full-speed fake.
03Split Back All OutShares the Quick Out + Go readFour-eligible split-back pass with every receiver releasing after the backfield fake.
04Strong OppoShares the Go + Quick Out readStrong-set play-action pass that sends the back opposite the initial alignment and stretches the secondary at three depths.

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The design

How I Back Fake Reverse works

I-back run that keeps the ball with Y while Z sells the reverse coming behind the live path.
QB gives to Y on the initial sweep path.
Z crosses behind the mesh at full speed as the fake reverse, while X clears vertically and C breaks left to remove pursuit from the intended running lane.

Coach the details

Every player's job

: 12-yard go — full-speed release, ball goes over the top.
: 5-yard quick out to the sideline — speed out — no break-down, snap to the sideline.
: take the handoff, press the LOS, and read the playside LB — if he scrapes, cut back; if he fills, bounce.
: sell the run fake full speed on the drawn track; finish every rep as if you have the ball.

Call sheet

When and where to run it

Game planUse I Back Fake Reverse after the defense has begun reacting to the companion calls from the same formation.
Game planIts value comes from making the opening picture and backfield tempo look identical before the assignments separate.
Game planMirror the complete play for a left call rather than moving only one runner.
Game planFor younger players, shorten route depth and backfield travel proportionally while keeping the exchange order, fake responsibility, and high-low spacing intact.

Pre-snap to post-snap

Read the defense

Keys to watch

Use I Back Fake Reverse after the defense has begun reacting to the companion calls from the same formation.

Be ready to change the answer

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

What can break the play

Avoid I Back Fake Reverse when the exchange or play-action timing is not yet dependable, when the league rules prohibit its ball handling, or when the field is too compressed for its routes to separate safely.
Changing the formation or backfield alignment before the snap, which removes the disguise that makes I Back Fake Reverse pair with its companion calls.
Rushing the mesh, fake, or boot footwork. Every player must hit a fixed landmark at full speed and keep all exchange action behind the line.
Letting the route distribution drift into generic spread spacing. Keep the formation's launch points, route depths, and crossing order intact when making team-specific adjustments.