Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Drag Unders out of Shotgun Doubles Flex is a horizontal stretch concept built around two crossing drag routes underneath a deep clear-out route. The backside X runs a shallow drag across the field while the inside slot runs a deeper drag from the opposite side, creating a natural rub and pick against man coverage, and the outside receiver on that side clears vertically to take the top off the zone. The nearest receiver to the formation runs a short flat/out route while the RB releases into the boundary flat as a checkdown, giving the quarterback a five step drop progression that starts with the near drag and works to the far drag before checking down to the flat. Primary read progression is drag to drag to flat, with the deep clear route serving as a home run shot if the safety bites on the underneath crossers.
Defensive Reads
Watch for two off-ball linebackers sitting at a depth of five to seven yards, since that indicates they are keying the drags and will jump the first crosser. Check safety alignment pre-snap, a single high safety shell suggests Cover 3 and the drags should sit down in the soft spot, two high safeties suggest Cover 4 and the near drag should be the immediate answer. Post-snap, user players will often lurk the shallow drag looking for a jump throw, so if the user defender flashes down early, work the deeper drag on the far side instead. Man coverage is exposed by the natural rub between the two crossing routes, so if you see man leverage with no help underneath, take the first open drag immediately. Cover 2 with hard flat defenders can squeeze both drags, if that happens look immediately to the RB checkdown or the deep clear route for a big play against the vacated middle.
Usage Tips
Use this on second and medium to long when you expect man coverage, since the crossing drags create natural picks that separate defensive backs trailing in man.
Pre-snap, identify if the linebackers are sitting shallow, if they are you may need to hot route the near drag into a deeper in-route to clear their zone drop.
Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, key the flat defender, if he sinks with the drag the checkdown to the RB in the flat is wide open.
Pair this play with Slants or 45 Quick Base in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect a quick underneath passing attack before you hit them with Four Verticals or PA Dagger off the same formation.
Best used on early downs to stay ahead of the sticks, since both drags develop quickly and give the quarterback a rhythm throw against blitz-heavy defenses.
