Iowa Should Run At Least One Flea Flicker Every Game - Here's Why?

[MelroseHawkins]

First let me preface this post by saying that I am not a huge trick play guy. A team has to have the solid pieces/units in place to have an identity and to be consistent against opponents, especially good teams.

But, I have always thought a team should run a flea flicker at least one time every game. One reason is that it is a relatively safe "trick" play. You have your QB getting the ball back to pass compared to another skill player such as a RB or WR. The main reason I feel running it at least once every game is more to the fact that if the defense knows it is coming at some point they will have to spend time scheming & practicing for it. Anytime you can get in between the ears of your opponent and make them spend time planning, scheming and preparing for it, it's a bonus as it takes away time for scheming against regular plays.

The biggest reason is that on the field, I feel it can really help keep the defense honest and help alleviate or open up other potential plays if the defense has to honor it the entire game. I mean, chit, let teams know you are going to run it at some point in a game.

The time is almost here...............GO HAWKS!

 

[99topdawg]

Really, a flea flicker is a play-action pass. The only difference is that the ball actually changes hands. Hayden used to run it right, with a pitch and then a hand off back to the QB. Then it turns into more of a halfback pass with the QB doing the actual throwing. Here is what I'm talking about at 4:30.

Iowa State vs Iowa CyHawk Series Football History (1977-2009)

Video recap of every Iowa State vs Iowa football game since the series was resumed in 1977.Footage Property of of WOI Des Moines

youtu.be

 

[Hawkfnntn]

For my money it's situationally running those flea flickers is what makes them work easier. As an OC here's how I'd like to run those. You do it right after having a successful running play of say 10 plus yards. Then you don't necessarily hurry up to the LOS but you don't let the defense sub by not subbing yourself. So you have the exact same formation and personnel. I'd like to see it ran from a heavy formation preferably where you leak out a TE or even say a 2nd RB that's in motion presnap. But if we did it with a Wetjen, Washington JR etc instead I'd have no complaints.

It's easier to fool LBs on those then DBs. So having the main target being someone that should be shaded by them is ideal. All ya gotta do is get a step or two on em

 

[Grady]

Really, a flea flicker is a play-action pass. The only difference is that the ball actually changes hands. Hayden used to run it right, with a pitch and then a hand off back to the QB. Then it turns into more of a halfback pass with the QB doing the actual throwing. Here is what I'm talking about at 4:30.

Iowa State vs Iowa CyHawk Series Football History (1977-2009)

Video recap of every Iowa State vs Iowa football game since the series was resumed in 1977.Footage Property of of WOI Des Moines

youtu.be

Man, seeing Nick Bell running at the 4:25 mark warmed my cockles!

 

[Hawkboys]

Nothing beats a perfectly fumblerooski