Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Goal Line Fade lines up out of I Form Pro 21 personnel with both outside receivers releasing vertically off the line, one running a fade up the boundary and the other pushing straight upfield on a seam-style go route. The FB or slot player runs a flat route into the opposite void while the RB stays in to help protect, giving the quarterback a built-in checkdown if both verticals are covered. This is a man beater designed to isolate your X or Z receiver on a corner in a jump ball situation, with the primary read starting on the single receiver fade before working back to the vertical route on the other side of the formation.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the corner over your fade receiver is in press or off man, since press man is exactly the leverage this route is designed to attack. Watch the single high safety depth before the snap, a deep middle safety who can bracket the fade route will shut down the throw and force you to the checkdown. Post-snap, key the flat defender's reaction, if he sinks to take away the underneath route the vertical routes should be one on one downfield. Look for a user controlled safety sprinting to double the fade, which signals you should reset to the other vertical route on the opposite side. Against zone coverage such as Cover 3 or Cover 4, expect the corner to sink with the fade and a safety to rob the throw, so this play is best saved for confirmed man coverage looks.
Usage Tips
Use this near the goal line or in tight red zone situations where you need a one on one jump ball opportunity against man coverage.
Check pre-snap for single high safety looks or press man alignment on your outside receivers, since this play struggles against soft zone shells with a deep half safety over the top.
Hot route your flat route runner to a quick out if you see the defense selling an all out blitz, giving you a faster release valve than waiting on the checkdown.
Pair this with Slant And Go's or Sluggos earlier in a series so the defense respects double moves and stays in man coverage, setting up the fade for an easier win at the catch point.
Throw with anticipation on the fade before the receiver breaks, leading him to the back corner of the end zone to protect against the underneath defender and the sideline.
