Playbooks
Breakdown
Verticals out of Pistol Open Flex sends four receivers vertical to stretch the field and attack deep zones and man leverage. The two outside receivers (left and the far right X) run straight go routes up the sideline, the right slot X breaks vertical then bends into a deep in/dig around 15 yards, and the single receiver on the right runs a straight vertical stem up the numbers. The primary read progression starts with the deep dig from the slot working across the middle, then works to the outside verticals if the safety bites underneath or the corner opens his hips late.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense shows two deep safeties (Cover 2 or Cover 4) or one high safety (Cover 1 or Cover 3) since that dictates which vertical route will have the most separation. Watch the flow of the underneath linebackers after the snap since a hard shift toward the slot receiver's in-cut route signals zone coverage and opens up the outside verticals for a bigger throwing window. Key the corner's press technique pre-snap: if he is playing off man coverage without safety help, the outside verticals are live throws immediately off the snap. This play struggles against Cover 4 (quarters) since four defenders can match up vertically with each receiver, so avoid calling Verticals when the defense shows deep quarters shells with corners aligned outside and safeties at depth. Watch for user-controlled safeties sitting in the deep middle third since a rangy lurk defender can undercut the slot receiver's in-cut route if the quarterback holds the ball too long in his progression.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for two deep safeties versus one high safety before the snap since this concept is built to punish Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells with four verticals stretching the zones horizontally and vertically.
If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, hot route one of the outside verticals into a quick out or slant to give yourself an underneath option against tight press.
Use the deep in from the slot receiver as your rhythm throw against Cover 2 since it settles in the void between the corner's deep third and the safety's hash landmark.
Pair this play with PA Boot or PA Boot Rt earlier in a drive so the defense respects the run action, then come back to Verticals to attack safeties who start creeping into the box.
On third and long, lead with your eyes to the sideline verticals first if you diagnose Cover 3 since the corners often get stuck flat footed trying to cover the deep thirds against two threats to their side.
