Playbooks
Breakdown
1 Double Wr1 out of Nickel 2-4 shows four vertical stems from the receivers, with three running straight downhill and one breaking off to the outside just past the line, most likely the number two receiver settling into a quick out or shallow angle. With no visible pass protection issues shown and the two off screen receivers marked as X's likely running vertical or option routes, this is designed as a man beater that stresses press corners with immediate separation on the short breaking route while the other three routes occupy vertical space. The primary read progression starts with the quick breaking route as the hot or rhythm throw, then climbs to the vertical shots if the underneath defender jumps the short route.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage with press corners at the line is the biggest tell that the quick breaking route will win immediately off the release. Watch the slot defender depth pre-snap, if he is playing tight to the line expecting a quick game concept, consider a user blitz or a nano blitz to disrupt the timing before the route develops. Post-snap, key the underneath linebacker or nickel defender's first two steps, if he sinks into a zone drop instead of mirroring the receiver you are likely facing Cover 3 Match or Cover 4 Drop Field rather than true man. This concept struggles against Cover 2 Man or Cover 2 Roll because the flat defender can undercut the short breaking route while the safety help stays over the top of the verticals. If you see two deep safeties with off corners, sit in zone drops and rob the breaking route with a user controlled defender since the quarterback's first read is designed to hit that route in rhythm.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for press man or off man corners since this concept thrives against tight press coverage that struggles to reroute the quick breaking route.
Use motion across the formation to confirm man coverage before the snap, if the defender follows the receiver in motion you know its man and this play becomes a high percentage completion.
Hot route the outside vertical routes into comebacks or curls if you see Cover 3 Match or Cover 4 Quarters shells to avoid throwing into a deep third defender.
Pair this play with Cover 1 Robber or Cover 1 Hole from the same play list as a play action counter later in the drive once the defense starts keying on the quick breaking route.
Best used on early downs or third and short since the quick breaking route provides a safe rhythm throw that also opens up shot plays like 1 Double TE later in the series.
