Reverse

What is the definition of a Reverse in American Football?

A reverse in American football is a trick play that aims to deceive the defense by changing the lateral flow of the rushing play. The ball is run in one direction before being handed off to another player running in the opposite direction. This technique is designed to catch the defense off guard, causing them to move in the wrong direction and, as a result, potentially leaving open space for the offensive team.

The origin of the reverse can be traced back to Amos Alonzo Stagg, and it has since become a relatively common play in American football. Also known as an end reverse or criss-cross, the play requires precise coordination and timing from the players involved. When executed correctly, it can lead to significant gains on the field and possibly confuse the defense, increasing the chances of a successful play.

Key Takeaways

• A reverse is a trick play in American football that changes the lateral flow of a rushing play to deceive the defense.
• The play requires precise coordination and timing among the players involved.
• When executed correctly, it can lead to significant gains and potentially confuse the defense.

Reverse Basics

A reverse in American football is a relatively common trick play designed to catch the defense off guard. In a reverse play, the ball is carried aggressively towards one direction before quickly being passed off to a player traveling in the opposite direction. This sudden change in direction can lead to significant gains against the defense who start the play moving in the wrong way.

The reverse play is credited to Amos Alonzo Stagg, a pioneer in the sport’s history. It’s also known as an end reverse or criss-cross. The main objective of the play is to fool the defense, causing them to move in the wrong direction before quickly reversing the flow of the attack.

In order to execute a reverse effectively, it’s crucial to have good timing and ball handling between the players involved. The play generally starts with a handoff or lateral pass from the quarterback to a running back or wide receiver, who in turn laterals the ball to another player moving in the opposite direction. When executed correctly, the defense will commit to the initial direction of the play, allowing the player with the ball to take advantage of the open space.

There are more complex variations of the reverse, such as the double reverse and triple reverse. These involve additional handoffs or lateral passes. However, these variations increase the risk as they require more precise ball handling and timing.

It’s important to note that end arounds are not considered as a type of reverse play. In an end around, a wide receiver or other eligible receiver starts from the opposite side of the formation, runs behind the line of scrimmage, and receives a forward handoff from the quarterback. The similarity lies in exploiting the defense’s misdirection, but the actual mechanics are different.

While reverses can be a valuable tool in a team’s play-calling arsenal, they also come with inherent risks. Poor execution, ball handling errors, or penetration from the defense can lead to large losses or even turnovers. Coaches must weigh the potential benefits against these risks when deciding to call for a reverse play.

Types of Reverses

Standard Reverse

A standard reverse is a trick play in American football that changes the direction of a rushing play. It usually begins as a bootleg, sweep, or end-around. In this play, the quarterback hands the ball off to a player moving in one direction, typically a running back. Before crossing the line of scrimmage, the ball-carrier hands the ball to a teammate, usually a wide receiver, who is running in the opposite direction. The goal is to deceive the defense and find opportunities for the ball-carrier to gain yardage or score.

Double Reverse

The double reverse is a variation of the standard reverse in which the ball changes hands twice. In this play, the original ball-carrier hands the ball to a second player, who then hands it to a third player headed in the opposite direction. This extra exchange of the ball can further confuse the defense and create additional opportunities for offensive gains. However, the higher number of handoffs increases the risk of a fumble or other mistakes that could result in a loss of yardage.

Reverse Pass

The reverse pass adds a passing component to the standard reverse, making it even more unpredictable. In this play, after the initial handoff and reverse, the second ball-carrier—usually a wide receiver—looks for an open teammate downfield and throws a pass instead of continuing to run with the ball. This option has the potential to result in significant yardage gains if the defense is caught off guard. However, it also carries the risk of an incomplete pass or interception, especially since wide receivers are generally not as skilled at passing as quarterbacks.

Role of Players

Quarterback

The quarterback plays a crucial role in executing the reverse play. The quarterback starts the play by either handing off or tossing the football to the running back or wide receiver. This initial action initiates the deception, as it draws the attention of the defense in one direction. It is essential for the quarterback to sell this initial action convincingly to draw the defense away from the actual target of the play.

Running Back

The running back is often the first player to receive the ball from the quarterback during a reverse play. After receiving the ball, the running back carries it towards one direction, making it appear as if they are the main ball carrier. As the defense focuses on this action, the running back then hands off the ball to a wide receiver or another running back running in the opposite direction. This change of direction aims to catch the defense off-guard and create open space for the new ball carrier.

Wide Receiver

In a reverse play, the wide receiver may play a dual role. They can either receive the ball from the quarterback initially, acting in a similar fashion as the running back, or they can be the player who receives the ball during the change of direction. In either case, the wide receiver’s speed and agility are crucial in executing the play effectively and gaining significant yardage.

Offensive Line

The role of the offensive line in a reverse play is to block and create lanes for the ball carrier to exploit. Since the direction of the play changes abruptly, the offensive linemen must be agile and versatile to shift their blocking schemes accordingly. Ensuring proper blocking is vital. It not only helps the initial ball carrier make the handoff without being tackled but also opens up holes for the second ball carrier to run through, potentially leading to a big gain-changer for the offense.

Strategies and Situations

Trick Plays

A reverse in American Football can be used as a trick play to deceive the defense. By initially running the ball in one direction before handing it off to another player running in the opposite direction, the offense can catch the defense off-guard and create opportunities for big plays. Although reverses can be risky, when executed correctly, they can lead to significant gains.

Gaining Extra Yards

One of the main goals of a reverse is to gain extra yards. By taking advantage of the defense’s tendency to pursue the ball aggressively, the offense can exploit open spaces created by the change in direction. As the defense shifts their focus to the initial movement, the player receiving the handoff can gain extra yards by running towards the opposite sideline. This can be particularly effective when the defense is overly aggressive or playing with poor discipline.

Misdirection

Misdirection is a key component of the reverse play in American Football. The primary purpose of the reverse is to confuse the defense and force them to change their paths and assignments rapidly. By using the reverse play, the offense can create confusion amongst the defensive players and move them out of position, which can lead to open running lanes and increased opportunities for yardage gains. This can be especially useful against defenses that are known for their speed and pursuit, as the misdirection can help to slow them down and create more space for the offense to operate.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Benefits of Using Reverses

A reverse in American football is a trick play that involves one or more abrupt changes in the lateral flow of a rushing play. The main advantage of using reverses is that they can catch the defense off guard. As the ball is initially run in one direction before being given to another player running in the opposite direction, this can lead to big plays against the defense who start the play moving in the wrong direction.

Moreover, reverses can add an element of unpredictability to a team’s offensive strategy. By integrating trick plays like the reverse into their playbook, a team can keep their opponents guessing and create opportunities for substantial gains on the field.

Drawbacks of Using Reverses

Despite the potential benefits, there are some notable drawbacks to using reverses in American football. The primary disadvantage is that reverses can be high risk, as the lateral handoff between players increases the chances of fumbles or missed exchanges, which might result in lost yardage or turnovers.

Additionally, reverses require precise timing and execution from the players involved. A poorly executed reverse can result in a loss of yardage or even a turnover, negating any potential benefit from the play. In some cases, defenses that are well-prepared for trick plays can easily recognize and shut down a reverse, making it an ineffective strategy.

Furthermore, reverses can be difficult to practice and perfect due to their complex nature. Coaches may face challenges in allocating practice time and resources to thoroughly rehearse these plays while still focusing on more fundamental aspects of the game.

Overall, while reverses in American football can offer significant advantages when executed correctly, they also come with their share of risks and challenges.