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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Texas KO is a play-action pass out of the Pro Near formation with 21 personnel, using the two running backs and tight end to sell a run fake before releasing into the route concept. The Texas concept typically features a backfield release running an angle or texas route underneath while the tight end and outside receivers stretch the field vertically, giving you a built in man beater against linebackers who bite on the run fake. Your primary read progression starts with the fullback or halfback out of the backfield on the shallow crossing or angle route, then works to the intermediate tight end breakout, and finally to the deep outside shot if the play-action freezes the safeties.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake the underneath backfield route will be wide open against zone or man. Identify single high versus two high safety shells pre-snap, single high often means more aggressive run support which plays into your favor on the play-action. Key the strong side flow of linebackers, if they flow hard to the run fake the weak side of the field opens up for the tight end breakout route. Watch for a user controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone, this is the primary threat that can jump the backfield angle route and turn it into a turnover. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep zone drops, expect the underneath routes to be the quickest and safest completion since the deep threats will be well covered.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage so the play-action fake actually holds linebackers and safeties honest.
Check the safety depth pre-snap, if you see two high safeties sitting deep the underneath angle route to the backfield receiver will be open against zone drops.
If the defense shows a single high shell or crashes a safety into the box, hot route your backfield receiver to a quicker option route to beat man coverage before the blitz arrives.
Pair Texas KO with FB Dive Strong or HB Inside from this same set earlier in the sequence so linebackers respect the run fake and bite harder on the play-action the next time you call it.
Use motion pre-snap on the tight end or slot to identify man versus zone, if the defender follows across the formation you know you are getting man coverage and can attack the angle route with confidence.
