Playbooks
Breakdown
Deep Attack out of Shotgun Bunch sends the outside receiver on a deep corner route from the bunch alignment while the two inside bunch receivers run a deep cross and dig underneath it, creating a three-level flood to one side of the field. There is no play-action or run element shown here, this is a straight drop back pass with the offensive line in a standard pass protection look. The route combo is designed to attack both zone and man coverage by stacking a corner, deep cross, and dig into the same quarter of the field, with the primary read progressing from the corner route down to the deep cross and finally settling on the dig if the deep shots are covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch the deep safety alignment before the snap, two safeties deep signals Cover 2 and the corner route becomes the priority since it splits the flat defender and the deep half safety. If you see a single high safety with corners playing off, that is likely Cover 3 and the deep cross combined with the dig underneath will pull the deep third defender and create a throwing window. Man coverage with a corner pressed on the outside receiver is a green light for the corner route to win one on one down the sideline. If the user controls a safety and sits in a deep zone lurking over the middle, expect him to jump the dig route, so be ready to reset to the deep cross as your checkdown read. Watch for blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since this route combo takes time to develop and a well timed nano blitz can force a quick decision before the deep routes fully clear.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and long when you need a chunk play or a shot down the field. Pre-snap, check for two deep safeties versus one high safety, if you see Cover 2 the corner route is your first read since it attacks the seam between the corner and safety. If the defense shows Cover 3 with a deep third defender sitting outside, work the deep cross since it pulls that defender horizontally and opens the dig behind him. Motion the bunch receivers pre-snap to see if the defense follows in man coverage, if a defender shifts with the motion man you know you are getting man coverage and can prioritize the corner route against a trailing corner. Pair this play with Bunch Verts or Bunch Sail earlier in a drive so the defense respects the deep shots, then come back to Deep Attack once the safeties start cheating up on shorter routes. Use play action calls like PA Divide Wheels or PA Cheat Divide Wheels in the same set to keep linebackers honest before dialing up this deeper shot play.
