Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RNS 60 X Option is a pass play out of Pistol Spread 10 personnel that features an option route from the inside slot receiver, a deep dig breaking off into a vertical seam from the outside receiver on that side, and two clear-out streaks up the numbers from the opposite side of the formation. The lone receiver to the backside runs a vertical release to hold the corner and safety, giving the option route room to settle underneath in zone or break away from man coverage. This is a versatile man and zone beater built around the option route as the primary read, with the streaks serving as a vertical outlet if the defense sinks its underneath coverage.
Defensive Reads
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, a two high shell tells you the option route should work the middle void created by the split safeties. Watch the flow of the middle linebacker after the snap, if he widens to the option route runner's side you have a natural window to sit the route down for an easy completion. Identify man coverage by looking for a defender shadowing the option route receiver at the snap, that alignment tells you to break the route away rather than settle it. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge will speed up your clock, so know your checkdown or plan to get the option route thrown quickly before pressure arrives. Cover 2 shells with hard flat defenders can undercut the option route, so read the corner's depth and be ready to layer the throw over any shallow zone drops.
Usage Tips
Key your first read on the option route runner and let his release dictate the throw, sit him down against zone and break him away from the defender in man coverage.
Use pre-snap motion or a hot route check to identify if the defense is showing Cover 3 or Cover 4, since the two streaks on the far side are designed to stress single high shells.
This play works best on second and medium to third and short since the option route needs room to settle without needing to threaten deep on early downs.
Pair this concept with RNS 60 H Y Option in your play-calling sequence to keep linebackers guessing on which side the option route will come from.
Audible the backside single receiver into a comeback or hitch if you see a corner playing off coverage press, giving you a quick throw alternative if the option route gets jumped.
