Playbooks

Scissors

Shotgun·Bunch Wide·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Vikings OffenseOffenseNFL Live Vikings OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Scissors is a route combo out of Bunch Wide that crosses two of the bunch receivers through the middle of the field while the third bunch receiver works a corner route to clear space underneath. It is primarily a man beater, using the natural rub and crossing traffic from the bunch alignment to create separation against man corners and linebackers in coverage, though the crossing routes also settle into soft spots against zone drops. The primary read progression starts with the crossing route breaking toward the middle read (the first window created by the rub), then works to the corner route if the safety bites down inside, and finally checks down to the flat or shallow route as the outlet.

Defensive Reads

Identify press man on the bunch receivers before the snap, tight press with no safety help over the top is a green light to trust the rub and throw the crosser with anticipation. Watch the strong side linebacker or nickel defender at the snap, if they immediately widen or run with the corner route instead of sitting in a hook zone, the middle crossing route will be wide open behind them. Key the free safety rotation, if he stays true to the bunch side or bails deep middle, look to hold the corner route or check to the shallow crosser instead of forcing it. Man coverage with inside help (like a robber or lurking linebacker sitting in the crossing lanes) is the biggest threat, if you see a defender sitting in the shallow zone reading the quarterback's eyes, that user lurk can jump the crossing route. Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with disciplined underneath defenders can clog the crossing lanes, so watch for late blitz disguises where the defense shows blitz then drops a linebacker into the exact crossing route window.

Usage Tips

Check the pre-snap alignment of the bunch corner and safety before the snap, if you see man coverage press or trail technique on the bunch, expect the rub to spring the crosser open almost immediately.

Use the corner route as your window shot against single high safety looks, especially when the free safety cheats toward the field or shows two-high shell then rotates late.

Hot route the backside single receiver into a quick out or slant to give yourself a answer against blitz looks where the bunch routes take longer to develop.

This play works best on second and medium to second and long, since the crossing routes need a beat to develop and you want a mid range access window.

Pair Scissors with Cross Screen or RZ Rub Under from this same set, if the defense starts jumping the crossing routes after seeing Scissors on tape, the screen or rub under concept punishes that aggressive linebacker or corner flow.

Other Plays in Bunch Wide