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Football Library · Plays

Split Back Lead· 5v5 Flag

intermediateaka Split Back Right Leadaka Double Back Lead

5v5 Flagonly

Split Back Lead — the right back takes the handoff left while the left back crosses right on a full-speed fake.

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.

01Split Back All OutShares the Quick Out + Go readFour-eligible split-back pass with every receiver releasing after the backfield fake.
02Strong 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.
03Strong RB ChoiceShares the Go + Quick Out readStrong-set option pass centered on Y reading leverage after the play-action look.
04I Back RB ChoiceShares the Quick Out + Go readBalanced I-back pass that isolates the deep back on a leverage choice in the middle.

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The design

How Split Back Lead works

X and Y align side-by-side behind the shotgun quarterback in Split Back Right.
On the snap, the right back Y crosses the quarterback's face, takes the live handoff, and bends toward the left edge; the left back X crosses the other way on a full-speed fake after a one-count delay.
C runs a five-yard quick out and Z clears vertically from the receiver side.
The two crossing back paths force second-level defenders to choose a flow before they can identify the actual carrier.

Coach the details

Every player's job

: 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.
: 5-yard quick out to the sideline — speed out — no break-down, snap to the sideline.
: 13-yard go — full-speed release, ball goes over the top.

Call sheet

When and where to run it

Game planUse after the defense has started keying one back or chasing first backfield movement.
PressureThe crossing action is strongest against aggressive man defenders and rushers who lose sight of the ball at the mesh.
Game planMirror the entire formation for Split Back Left.
Game planFor younger teams, widen the backs slightly and shorten the fake path while keeping the exchange behind the line.
Game planIf contain stays home, coach the carrier to plant and get vertical instead of racing to the sideline.

Pre-snap to post-snap

Read the defense

Keys to watch

Use after the defense has started keying one back or chasing first backfield movement.
The crossing action is strongest against aggressive man defenders and rushers who lose sight of the ball at the mesh.
On the snap, the right back Y crosses the quarterback's face, takes the live handoff, and bends toward the left edge; the left back X crosses the other way on a full-speed fake after a one-count delay.
The two crossing back paths force second-level defenders to choose a flow before they can identify the actual carrier.

Be ready to change the answer

Cover 0: Anything that develops slowly — pressure gets home first Better answers: Four Verticals, Mesh,

Troubleshooting

What can break the play

Avoid it when the league does not permit handoffs, when the backs cannot execute the crossing mesh cleanly, or when a disciplined contain defender refuses to chase either back across the formation.
The fake back shortens his path or looks for the ball. Both backs must cross at game speed for the mesh picture to hold defenders.
The quarterback exposes the ball too early. Carry it to one fixed mesh landmark and let the live back take it cleanly.
The receiver-side clear stops short and leaves the edge defender sitting in the carrier's lane.

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