What Is a Bootleg in Football? Run Fake and Rollout

Aug 17

2 min read

Updated: 10 minutes ago

A bootleg is a designed quarterback movement play, commonly built around a run fake in one direction and the quarterback moving the other way. The offense tries to pull defenders toward the apparent handoff, then put the passer in space with routes in front of him.

Part of Football 101. Explore the guide to choose your next topic.

A bootleg is a designed quarterback movement play, usually paired with a run fake, that sends the passer outside the pocket in the opposite direction from the running back

It is planned movement. A quarterback escaping after protection fails is scrambling, even if the final picture looks similar.

How the deception develops

On a common outside zone boot, the line and running back initially flow toward one sideline. The quarterback sells the exchange, keeps the ball concealed and gains enough depth to turn toward the opposite edge.

That is one application of play action. The fake asks linebackers to honor the run before recovering into coverage. Moving the quarterback also changes the target for pass rushers who were attacking the original pocket.

The routes frequently appear at three levels: an immediate flat option, an intermediate crossing route and a deeper route. This can produce a flood concept toward the rollout side, although every bootleg does not use the same route package or progression.

What makes a bootleg naked

A naked bootleg sends the quarterback toward the edge without a lead protector there. The design relies on the run action to influence an unblocked defender.

If that defender chases the back, the quarterback can escape. If he stays home, the passer may need an immediate throw, a reset or another answer built into the call. The absence of an escort is the gamble.

Bootleg, sprint out and RPO

A rollout is the broad idea of moving the launch point. A sprint out gets the quarterback moving quickly toward the sideline without requiring the same extended misdirection. A bootleg specifically uses the concealed ball and movement away from the apparent run action.

An ordinary bootleg pass is already called as a pass. The quarterback can scramble when space opens, but that does not automatically make it an RPO with a live handoff choice.

Follow the backside edge defender

On television, watch the defender opposite the run fake. His discipline often determines whether the boot has room. Then look at the flat defender: does he close on the short target or retreat under the intermediate route?

The quarterback does not always need to throw at full speed. Clearing the edge, slowing and setting the feet can produce a better pass than drifting toward the sideline.