Playbooks

Exit X Over

Shotgun·Deuce Close·12

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Breakdown

Exit X Over is a route concept built off the Shotgun Deuce Close 12 personnel look, designed to attack the middle of the field with a deep over route crossing from the backside. The X receiver runs an exit release to clear space outside while the over route works from the opposite side of the formation, creating a natural pick against man coverage and a window against zone drops. This is primarily a man beater with zone beater capability, and the primary read progression starts with the deep over route working across the field before checking down to the exit route on the boundary and any underneath outlet from the two tight end set.

Defensive Reads

Watch for a single high safety pre-snap, this usually signals man coverage or a man match scheme that the over route is designed to exploit. Identify if the defense rotates to a two high shell post-snap, since that indicates zone coverage and will force you to check down faster instead of pushing the deep crosser. Key on the middle linebacker's depth and drop, if he sits shallow to jump underneath routes the over route should have a clean lane behind him. Look for user controlled defenders lurking in the intermediate middle of the field, since a smart user player can sit on the crossing route and jump the throw. Beware of disguised blitzes off the edge, since the deep over route takes time to develop and quick pressure can force an early or inaccurate throw before the read fully opens.

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see a single high safety the over route has a strong chance to work against man coverage on the crossing action.

Use the exit release on the X receiver as your first hot read against man coverage teams that like to press, since the release beats jam attempts and creates immediate separation.

This play fits best on second and long or third and medium situations where you need a chunk gain over the middle of the field.

Pair this with Exit Dagger or Exit Drive from the same set to keep defenses guessing on whether the shot is coming over the middle or down the seam, since both plays share the same initial formation look.

Against zone heavy defenses, hold the ball an extra beat to let the over route clear the linebacker level before throwing, since sitting underneath routes can bait zone defenders out of position.

If the defense shows two high safeties pre-snap, be ready to work the shorter option in the progression since the deep over route will have less room to operate.

Other Plays in Deuce Close