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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
RNS 60 H Y Option is a pass play out of the Pistol Spread 10 personnel look, built around two outside vertical routes bookending an option route from the inside receiver over center and a slot receiver running a vertical seam. The X and the far outside receiver push straight up the field on go routes to hold the corners and safeties deep, while the H back or slot runs a true option route (out, in, or sit) based on the leverage of the underneath defender, giving you a built-in man beater against off coverage and a natural zone beater versus soft underneath zones. This is a pure dropback passing concept with no play-action or run tag, and the primary read progression starts with the option route in the middle of the field before working outside to the vertical shots on the numbers.
Defensive Reads
Presnap look for a single high safety with press corners, this tells you the defense is playing man and the option route can win with a quick out against tight leverage. If both safeties are deep at the snap in a two high shell, expect zone underneath, so the option route should sit down in the void between the curl and hook defenders. Watch the middle linebacker's depth at the snap, a fast retreat into a deep zone drop signals Cover 3 or Cover 4 and tells the option route to break outside quickly before the zone closes. Beware of a user controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle, since this play's option route runs right through that spot and is vulnerable to a jumped route on the option break. Disguised blitzes with late linebacker creep are the biggest threat here, since the option route runner has no help against a blitzer who beats the protection before the route develops.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify whether the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell, since the option route reads leverage differently against zone versus man.
If you see man coverage with no safety help over the option route, hot route it to a quick out for an easy pitch and catch against Cover 1 or Cover 0 blitz looks.
Use this on third and short to medium yardage because the option route gives you a built in answer against both man and zone without needing to audible the whole play.
Pair this with RNS 60 X Option in the same set so you can flip which side gets the option route and keep defenses guessing on which receiver is the adjustable route runner.
Sequence this behind Four Verticals or RNS Streak earlier in the drive so defenders bite on the verticals and open up the option route in the middle of the field.
Watch the flat and curl defenders after the snap, if they widen out to the verticals the option route should settle in for an easy completion underneath.
