Playbooks

Clearout Z Option

Shotgun·Bunch Open TE·11

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetBunch Open TE

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 4 playbooks

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Breakdown

Clearout Z Option is a route option concept out of Shotgun Bunch Open TE that uses the bunch alignment to clear out underneath coverage and create a natural pick element for the Z receiver. The Z runs an option route off the clearout routes from the other bunch receivers, reading the flow of the nearest defender to break in, out, or sit down in space, while the backside works as a simple outlet or vertical threat. This is a man beater at its core, since the clearout traffic from the bunch makes it difficult for man defenders to stay attached, but it also has zone beating utility versus soft coverage where the Z can settle into the void left by the cleared out zone. Primary read progression starts with the Z option route, then works to the underneath outlet or check down if the option is capped.

Defensive Reads

Check safety depth pre-snap, single high shells with a deep middle safety tell you the underneath option route should have room since the safety is not rotating down into the bunch quickly. Watch cornerback alignment on the bunch, if the corner assigned to the Z is playing outside leverage in press man, the option route breaking inside will beat him almost every time. Post-snap, key the flow of the linebacker closest to the bunch, a hard trigger downhill on the clearout action means the option route should sit down rather than break away. Beware of user controlled lurk defenders sitting in the shallow hole zone, they can undercut the option route if you telegraph the throw too early. Cover 3 sink and cover 4 match shells with disciplined zone drops can shut this down since the clearout routes get passed off cleanly, forcing you to rely on the backside outlet instead of the option route.

Usage Tips

Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing man or zone by checking for a defender bumped tight on the Z receiver inside the bunch, since press man alignment confirms the clearout will work.

Use the Z option route on third and short to medium situations where the option route breaking off the defender leverage gives you a high percentage completion for the sticks.

Hot route the clearout receivers to adjust their depth if you see a linebacker sitting in the shallow zone, pushing them slightly deeper forces the defender to widen and opens the option route sooner.

Pair this play with RPO Alert Bubble or RPO Zone Alert Bubble earlier in a series so the defense respects the quick bubble action, which slows linebacker reaction time when you come back to Clearout Z Option.

If the defense starts jumping the option route with a user controlled linebacker, sequence into Y Trail or Flood from this same set to attack the same bunch look from a different angle.