Playbooks

Bears Under

Shotgun·Doubles HB Wk·11
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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

Elites OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Bears Under is a route concept out of Shotgun Doubles HB Wk that combines an under route with a flood concept to attack both man and zone coverage. The design pairs a shallow crosser or under route with a deep breaking route on the same side, creating a natural high low read for the quarterback while the backfield or opposite side receiver works as a checkdown or clear out. The primary read progression starts with the deep route to see if the corner or safety bites on the under, then works down to the underneath option if the window is not there.

Defensive Reads

Read the safety depth pre-snap, if both safeties are deep and stay put after the snap you are likely seeing a two high zone shell that leaves the underneath area open for the under route. Watch the flow of the linebackers at the snap, if they widen with the under route it opens a throwing lane behind them for the deep breaking route. Man coverage with a single high safety is where this play hits hardest since the rub from the crossing action creates natural separation for the receiver working underneath. Blitz heavy looks with a nano blitz package can shut this down quickly since the quarterback needs time to work through the full progression, so check protection or plan a quick throw to the checkdown if you see extra rushers creeping to the line. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the shallow zone or lurking near the under route, this is the biggest threat to the primary read and should push you to the deep option immediately.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a hot route check to see if the defense shifts, this tells you if you are facing man or zone before the snap. Against zone shells with soft corners, hold the ball a beat longer and let the under route sit down in the void behind linebackers and in front of safeties. Against man coverage, look immediately to the deep route since the under route creates natural rub traffic that can spring separation. Pair this play with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Read Bubble earlier in a series so the defense has to respect the quick game before you hit them with the developing under concept. Best called on second and medium or third and long when you need a route that has both a checkdown and a explosive play option built in.

Other Plays in Doubles HB Wk