A bootleg is schizophrenic or something.
For starters, it’s a misdirection play. The Quarterback fakes a hand off in one direction then rolls out to the other.
It’s also a play-action pass in that it starts out looking like a running play then, most of the time, ends up being a pass. The run fake does two things: it confuses the defense and it slows down any pass rush.
And, lastly, it’s an option play — sort of. Depending upon how the defense’s backside reacts to the Quarterback’s sudden appearance with the ball, the Quarterback has the option to either run or pass.
The defense, in this case, is specifically the force defender. He’s the lone wolf in a defense’s perimeter who’s entrusted with “forcing” a ballcarrier back into the pursuit.
talkfootball 