Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Shallow H-Corner is a bunch-based pass concept out of Shotgun Bunch TE Wk that stresses the field horizontally and vertically. From the bunch alignment, one receiver runs a deep corner route while another works a corner breaking route underneath and outside, and the shallow crosser drags all the way across the field under the coverage. The remaining receiver on the backside runs a deep out to hold defenders wide, giving the quarterback a clear progression from the shallow drag underneath to the corner route working the sideline if the flat is cleared out.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender and outside linebacker leverage before the snap, if they are aligned tight to the bunch the shallow crosser will have room underneath. Post snap, track the corner defender's depth since a soft corner drop invites the underneath drag while a jumped corner route opens the sideline shot. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with deep zone drops are vulnerable to the shallow drag sitting underneath the linebacker level. Man coverage with a underneath lurk defender can undercut the drag route, so be ready to climb the progression to the corner route immediately. Bring pressure with a nano blitz up front to disrupt the quarterback's timing since this concept relies on a clean pocket for the corner route to develop.
Usage Tips
Use this against teams that show single high or Cover 3 pre-snap since the shallow drag has room to work underneath zone drops.
Key the flat defender before the snap, if he sinks with the corner route the shallow crosser is wide open on the drag.
Hot route the backside deep out receiver into a hitch or slant if you see press man coverage to speed up the underneath read.
This play pairs well with Mesh Mills or Mesh X-Post in your call sheet since both attack similar shallow zones and force linebackers to widen their drops.
Best used on second and medium or third and short since the shallow crosser is a safe checkdown even if the corner window is late developing.
