Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
TE Angle out of Pistol Bunch releases the tight end on a quick angle route out of the backfield area, breaking outside then working underneath toward the flat while the two outside receivers clear the field with vertical and outside breaking routes. The bunch alignment creates natural rub potential against man coverage, and the two X routes on the perimeter stretch the defense horizontally to open the angle route underneath. This is a man beater designed to win with leverage and separation off the rub, with the primary read starting on the TE angle route underneath before working outside to the deeper breaking routes if the angle is taken away.
Defensive Reads
Watch for the linebacker assigned to the tight end pre-snap, since a linebacker sitting in a shallow zone drop can undercut the angle route before it develops. Identify press man coverage on the bunch receivers, since a hard jam disrupts the rub and slows down the angle route release, giving the defense time to close. Look for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, since this defender can jump the angle route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Check for zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with defenders sinking to their landmarks, since the angle route loses its rub advantage and becomes an easy sit down route for a zone defender to close on. Diagnose blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the tight end may need to release late or chip before running the angle, delaying the primary read.
Usage Tips
Key the pre-snap alignment of the linebacker over the bunch, since his depth tells you if the angle route will be available immediately or if you need to work through your progression.
Use this play on early downs or third and short, since the angle route is designed for a quick, high percentage completion against man coverage.
If you see a single high safety with man coverage indicators like tight cornerback alignment on the bunch, snap and fire to the angle route without hesitation.
Hot route the outside receivers to a quick out or hitch if you diagnose a hard blitz, since the angle route alone can be jumped by a spying linebacker.
Pair this play with HB Slip Screen or Read Option Wk from the same set to keep defenses honest, since both create similar pre-snap looks but attack different areas of the field.
