Playbooks
Breakdown
TE Attack is a play-action flood concept out of Pistol Wing Close 12 personnel. The play-action fake bleeds the linebackers up before the QB works a three-level flood to one side: the backside X runs a deep go up the numbers, the inline TE releases into a corner route, and the slot TE runs an in route underneath toward the middle of the field. The blocking scheme sells run action to the backfield first, then the QB progresses from the deep go to the corner and settles on the in route, making this a clear Cover 3 beater that stresses the flat and deep third defenders on the frontside.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify a single high safety and inside leverage from the corner on the flooded side, both indicate Cover 3 and a green light for this play call. Post-snap, watch the flat defender's drop, if he sinks with the go route or bites on the run fake, the corner route will be wide open. Man coverage with press corners is dangerous here since the go route can get jammed, if you see man alignment pre-snap consider audibling to a quick game beater instead. Watch for a user-controlled defender flashing into the shallow in route lane, that is the biggest lurk threat against the underneath option on this concept. A hard inside blitz that overloads the box will beat the play-action fake quickly, so have a hot route or check down ready if linebackers crash downhill immediately after the snap.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety confirms Cover 3 and tells you to attack the flooded side immediately off the play-action fake.
Sell the run fake by holding the ball mesh point animation as long as possible, this freezes linebackers and opens the underdneath in route for an easy completion.
If the defense shows Cover 3 with a hard flat defender, go directly to the corner route since the flat defender cannot cover both the corner and the in route.
Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage since the play-action element is more believable when the defense expects run.
Pair TE Attack with PA Boot Lt or RPO Power Alert Outs in the same set to keep defenses guessing between play-action flood, boot action, and run pre-snap.
