Playbooks

49er HB Choice

Shotgun·Bunch Y-Flex·11

Option Route Pass Play

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetBunch Y-Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

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Breakdown

49er HB Choice out of Shotgun Bunch Y-Flex is a run pass option built around the classic 49er route concept combined with a choice route from the backfield. The HB releases into the pattern and reads the leverage of the nearest linebacker or nickel defender, breaking in or out based on coverage, while the bunch receivers work option and flex routes to occupy underneath zones and man defenders. This is primarily a man beater because the choice route from the HB exploits linebackers who struggle in space, though the layered option routes from the bunch give it enough zone beater qualities to attack zone shells too, and the primary read progression starts with the HB choice route before working to the option route breaking across the middle.

Defensive Reads

Identify the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sits shallow or shows blitz, the HB choice route will have room to break outside for a quick gain. Watch for user controlled defenders lurking in the shallow zone, since a smart user player will sit on the HB choice route and jump the break. Against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, look for soft spots between the underneath zone and the deep zone where the option routes settle for easy completions. Man coverage with no help over the top is the biggest weakness for the defense here, since the bunch alignment creates natural rub opportunities for the option routes to shed defenders. Beware of nano blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the HB releasing into his route removes a blocker and can leave the quarterback exposed if the protection is not adjusted with a hot route or chip assignment.

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs or third and short since the HB choice route is designed to pick up positive yardage after contact against aggressive linebackers.

Check the box pre-snap for linebacker depth, if the defense shows a linebacker sitting shallow in the flat, hot route the choice route to break outside for an easy pitch and catch.

Against man coverage, trust the option routes in the bunch to win on the break, and use the right stick to guide the primary target away from the user defender.

Pair this play with Curls Y Swirl and Choice Shallow Dig in the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game and intermediate breakers off similar bunch alignment.

If the defense sells out to stop the HB choice route with a spy or extra underneath defender, counter later in the drive with HB Slip Screen or Inside Zone from the same formation to punish overaggressive linebacker flow.