Motioning the slot receiver from the Twins formation to provide blocking support on the tailback power play can lull a defense into forgetting about the slot receiver in pass coverage.
Twins Z-Motion Naked Boot
The naked bootleg play allows several pass and run possibilities involving the slot and wide receivers, the tight end, and the quarterback.
Slot Receiver
Motions toward quarterback. At snap, he initiates the block on the defensive end as he does with the power play. After a two-count, he releases and runs a crossing route behind the linebackers.
Tight End
Initiates double team block with the offensive tackle, and releases downfield, running a deep corner route toward the sideline.
Wide Receiver
Runs a deep skinny post-vertical route in an attempt to keep the safety from picking up the slot receiver running the crossing route.
Quarterback
Fakes the handoff to the tailback and boots to the weak side. He must be prepared to throw the ball to the slot receiver or the tight end. If the unblocked defensive end falls for the run fake, the quarterback may decide to run the ball.
Blocking Assignments
Both guards will pull strong side as they do on the run play. They must stay behind the line of scrimmage. The center and strong side tackle slide protect block to the weak side (replacing the pulling guards). The weak side tackle pass blocks the defensive tackle.
Coaching Focus
- Have the quarterback stop his bootleg after a couple of steps, set up and throw the deep ball to the wide receiver.
- Instruct the quarterback to throw the ball away (deep and out of bounds toward the tight end) if the unblocked defensive end is in a position to sack him.