Playbooks

Exit Drive

Shotgun·Deuce Close·12

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 6 playbooks

Cardinals OffenseOffenseChiefs OffenseOffenseColts OffenseOffenseNFL Live Cardinals OffenseOffenseNFL Live Chiefs OffenseOffenseNFL Live Colts OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Exit Drive is a drive concept combo out of the Shotgun Deuce Close 12 personnel look, designed to attack the middle of the field with crossing routes stacked at different levels. The primary route combo pairs a shallow drive route underneath with a deeper crosser, giving the quarterback a high low read against zone drops or a natural pick against man coverage. This is a man beater first and foremost, though the layered crossing routes also create natural rubs that give receivers separation against off man and banjo coverage, with the primary read progression starting at the underneath drive route before working up to the deep crosser if the shallow window closes.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment to determine if you are facing a two high shell or single high look, since two high shells give more room for the deep crosser to work. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, as shallow dropping linebackers can jump the drive route and undercut the underneath crosser. Identify man coverage by checking if defenders align tight to the receivers before the snap, which signals the drive route should win quickly. Post snap, look for a user controlled defender sitting in the middle of the field as a lurk threat, since that defender can bait the quarterback into a turnover on the crossing routes. This concept struggles against aggressive man blitzes with no safety help over the top, so be ready to check to a quicker hot route or dump off if the blitz shows early.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a quick alert to identify if the defense is showing man or zone before the snap since this concept plays differently against each shell.

Against man coverage, trust the drive route to win early separation off the line and get the ball out on time before a blitz can develop.

Against zone, work through your progression from the shallow crosser to the deeper route since the deep crosser will settle into soft spots in the zone.

This play works best on second and medium to long or third and medium since it takes a beat to develop the crossing routes fully.

Pair Exit Drive with Exit Dagger or Exit X Over in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect both shallow crossers and vertical shots off similar formation and motion.

Other Plays in Deuce Close