Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
TE Option out of Pistol East Tight sends both outside receivers on deep crossing routes to clear out the underneath zones, with the inline TE running the namesake option route breaking outside off the line. The backside slot runs a quick out to the flat while the tight end to the play side (red) blocks or leaks depending on the protection call, giving the QB a two level read to the strong side. This is a man beater built around the option route TE finding soft grass against zone leverage, with the primary read starting on the option route TE before working to the flat route underneath if the linebacker sits on the option break.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender and the underneath linebacker to your play side immediately after the snap, since their depth and leverage dictate whether the option route TE breaks in or out. This play struggles against zone coverages with a hard sink on the intermediate flat, since a linebacker sitting at five to seven yards can jump the option route TE break before separation is created. Man coverage without a deep safety rotated over the option route TE is the most exploitable shell, since the TE has a built in advantage on his release. Look for user controlled defenders lurking near the numbers, since a smart user can bait the QB into the option throw and jump the route for a pick. Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with disciplined zone drops from the linebackers tend to shut this play down, since they take away both the option route and the underneath flat conversion.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing single high or two high safeties, since the option route TE thrives when the defense drops a linebacker into a shallow zone with no safety help over the top.
Use motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into showing blitz or coverage rotation before the snap, then key the flat defender to decide whether the option route TE should break in or out.
If the defense shows man coverage with no underneath help, trust the option route TE to win with his break, since this route has built in separation against straight man technique.
Pair this play with HB Stretch or HB Zone Wk from the same East Tight set to keep defenders honest on run fits, then dial up TE Option once linebackers start cheating downhill.
Best used on second and short to second and medium, since the option route TE conversion read gives the QB a high percentage completion when the deep crossers pull coverage away.
