Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Left | Option Route |
| SLWR | Right | Streak |
| WR1 | Left | Streak |
| WR2 | Right | Hitch |
| TE1 | Right | Stick Option |
Shock H Option out of Shotgun Box Y Split is an option route concept built around the H back working a choice route against the flow of the defense while the rest of the formation clears space with vertical stems. This is a man beater at its core, since the option route lets the H back sit or break away based on the defender's leverage, but it also holds up against soft zone because the underneath defenders have to respect the vertical routes stretching the field. The primary read progression starts with the H back option route, then works to any crossing or breaking route coming from the opposite side, and finishes with a checkdown or scramble drill if the option gets taken away.
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell, since a single high look often means man coverage underneath and favors the option route Watch the linebacker or nickel defender aligned over the H back, if he opens his hips early or bails to a zone drop, expect a soft zone and target the option route sitting down in the window Post-snap, look for a user controlled defender flashing down into the option route's lane, if you see a lurk defender sinking hard into that area, redirect to your secondary crosser or checkdown This play struggles against aggressive man blitz packages where the defender on the H back gets immediate depth and jumps the route before the break, so have a quick checkdown ready Cover 3 sink zones with linebackers dropping to depth can take away the option route's window, so key on linebacker depth at the snap to decide between the option and the vertical clear out route
Check the alignment of the linebacker or slot defender over the H back before the snap, since that leverage dictates whether the option route breaks in or out
If you see man coverage indicators like tight press alignment or a defender mirroring the H back's motion, trust the option route and throw with anticipation right off the break
Against zone shells, hold the ball a tick longer and let the option route sit down in the soft spot between the underneath zone and the deep coverage
Use this play on second and medium or third and short since the option route gives you a built in answer to both man and zone without needing a hot route audible
Pair this with Curls or Quick Short Post earlier in a series to condition the defense to sit on quick game, then hit Shock H Option when linebackers start jumping underneath routes
Sequence this with Y Trail or Mtn Slot Cross to keep defenders guessing between option concepts and traditional crossing route beaters