Playbooks

Salem Z-Fade

Shotgun·Doubles HB Wk·11

Quick Reference

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In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Salem Z-Fade is a man beater built around the Z receiver running a fade route to the boundary, isolating him one on one against a corner outside. The concept pairs the fade with underneath crossers and a check down option from the backfield, giving the quarterback a high low read against man coverage while also providing a hot route conversion if the defense shows zone. The primary progression starts with the Z fade on any single high look or press man alignment, then works down to the shorter crossing routes and the back out of the backfield if the fade window closes.

Defensive Reads

Man coverage defenders should locate the Z receiver immediately and jam him at the line to disrupt his release, since a clean release into the fade is nearly unblockable in one on one leverage. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with a deep half or deep third defender over the top take away the fade window and force the quarterback into the underneath check down. Watch for user controlled safeties who can rob the fade from a deep middle alignment, this is the single biggest counter to this concept. Linebackers should key the crossing routes underneath and sit in passing lanes rather than biting on the play fake, since the shorter routes become the quarterback's answer once the fade is covered. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can beat this play before the fade develops, so a fast disguised pressure look or nano blitz off the corner is an effective counter if the offensive line cannot pick it up in time.

Usage Tips

Check the corner alignment on the Z receiver before the snap, if he is in press man with no safety help over the top this is an automatic shot play. Use this against defenses that show Cover 1 or Cover 0 since the fade has a built in advantage versus off man leverage. Hot route the underneath crosser into a sit route against zone heavy defenses to give yourself a quick rhythm throw instead of forcing the fade. Pair this with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Zone Peek earlier in a drive to bait defenders into thinking every play is a quick game concept, then hit the fade when the corner starts jumping routes. Save this for third and short or first down shot plays since the fade route needs one on one leverage and time to develop, avoid calling it into confirmed double teams or bracket coverage on the Z.

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