Playbooks
Z Under
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Z Under is a play-action deep flood concept out of Pistol Weak Slot Open. The play fakes the handoff to sell run action while the outside receivers stretch the field vertically with a go route from the backside X and a corner route from the Y, the slot Z runs an under route that crosses the field underneath the corner route, and the HB releases on a swing route out of the backfield for a checkdown. The primary read progression starts with the deep corner route to test Cover 3 rotation, works down to the under crosser for a man beater window, and finishes with the HB swing as the safety valve.
Defensive Reads
Identify the deep safety alignment before the snap, a single-high safety indicates Cover 3 or man coverage which this play is designed to exploit with the corner and under combo. Watch the flow of the linebackers after the play-action fake, if they bite hard on the run fake the underneath crossing route will have a wide throwing lane. Key the cornerback over the slot receiver, if he sinks with the under route in zone coverage look to the corner route for the explosive gain. Beware of a two-high shell that keeps a safety over the top of the corner route, this can shut down the deep shot and force the quarterback to settle for the under route or the HB swing. Watch for a delayed blitz or user-controlled defender spying the play-action fake, since the offensive line is selling run blocking the quarterback can be exposed if the fake does not draw the pass rush.
Usage Tips
Use the play-action fake on early downs, second and short or third and medium, when run tendencies from Pistol Weak Slot Open have been established to freeze linebackers. Read the deep safety pre-snap: if he shows single-high, attack the corner route into the void behind the flow of a Cover 3 rotation. Against man coverage looks, hot route the under route earlier or let it develop naturally since the crossing action creates natural separation versus man defenders trailing. If the user drops a defender into the shallow crossing lane, check down immediately to the HB swing for positive yardage rather than forcing the throw. Pair this play with HB Stretch or Inside Zone Split earlier in a series to sell the run fake, then call Z Under to punish defenders keying the backfield action.
