Playbooks

Tear Switch Verts

Shotgun·Deuce·12
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense Sharedcoach3Offense

Breakdown

Tear Switch Verts is a vertical shot play out of Shotgun Deuce 12 personnel that uses a switch release concept to confuse man defenders and stress two deep safety shells. Both outside receivers cross their release paths at the snap, creating natural rub traffic that hangs up press corners while the two tight ends work vertical seams up the middle. This is a pure passing concept built to beat man coverage, with the primary read progression starting at the switch release receiver getting the biggest post snap separation, then working to the seam runner if the switch is jammed at the line, and finally checking down to the underneath crosser if both verticals are covered.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high safety pre snap, that tells you Cover 1 or Cover 3 is likely in play and the seams will be there against the switch release. Watch for two deep safeties rotating hard to the play side, that signals Cover 4 quarters and you need to peek the underneath crosser instead of forcing the vertical shots. Key the flow of the middle linebacker after the snap, if he sinks deep into a hole zone drop that is a Tampa 2 or Cover 2 tell and you should climb the ladder to the seam runner working away from that defender. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the intermediate middle can jump the seam routes late, so if you see a defender hesitate and not commit to a deep third or half, expect him to jump the tight end verticals and be ready to go outside to the switch receiver instead. Watch blitz timing off the edge, if you see a nano blitz or overload look pre snap get through your first read fast since this concept takes time to develop against man coverage and a free rusher will collapse the pocket before verticals separate.

Usage Tips

Look for single high safety shells pre snap since this play is designed to overload the middle of the field against Cover 1 and Cover 3 defenders who have to respect both seams. Motion is not needed but check corner alignment, if you see press man on the switch receivers this concept wins immediately off the rub. Hot route the underneath crosser into a deeper in-cut if you are getting Cover 4 quarters looks so you have a answer against teams sitting on the verts. Use this on early down and medium to long yardage situations, first and ten or second and seven plus, so the deep shots have room to develop without forcing a checkdown into a loaded box. Pair this with Tear Speed Option or Tear QB Zone earlier in a series to get linebackers and safeties creeping up, then hit Tear Switch Verts off the same formation look to punish overaggressive run fits with an explosive play. Also sequence it after Tear Mesh Post so defenders start jumping shallow crossers, opening the switch release verticals even more.

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