Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Clear Deep is a Four Verts based quick passing concept out of Shotgun 5WR Tight (00 personnel) with no run blocking shown, five eligible receivers releasing vertically or on quick breaking routes. The three receivers to the closed side run a go, an in, and a comeback that clears the underneath zone and stresses the deep third, while the two receivers to the open side run a corner-to-out combo (the outside man breaks out and up the sideline while the inner man sits underneath on a quick out route) creating a natural high-low read against man or zone. This is a Cover 3 beater and man beater built for quick, timing-based throws, and the primary read progression starts with the comeback route working outside leverage defenders, then works to the underneath out route for a quick access throw before climbing to the vertical shots down the field.
Defensive Reads
Presnap check safety depth and alignment, since a single high safety indicates Cover 3 and opens up the comeback and corner routes on the perimeter. Watch the flat defender and slot corner leverage, since squatting underneath defenders signal zone drops that you can beat with the comeback route sitting down in the void. Post snap track any user controlled lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, since that player can jump the underneath out route and bait a turnover if you force the throw. Identify press man coverage on the outside receivers before the snap, since press corners with no safety help can be beaten deep by the go route if the receiver wins off the line. Recognize blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge, since Clear Deep has no dedicated run blocking and the quarterback needs a fast, decisive read to avoid a sack against pressure.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify if the defense is showing single high safety, since Cover 3 leaves the deep sideline comeback and corner routes open against off coverage corners.
If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, hot route the inner slot receiver on a fade or bench the underneath out and let the vertical stem clear the corner for a big shot play.
Use the comeback route as your first read on third and medium situations since it punishes cornerbacks playing off coverage or squatting on curl zones.
Combine Clear Deep with Mesh or Spacing in your play calling sequence, since those concepts attack the same underneath zones and force linebackers to widen, opening up the verticals on this play afterward.
Look to audible into a hot route on the shallow out if you see a linebacker walked out into the slot, since that route beats man to man leverage quickly before the blitz arrives.
