Playbooks

Four Verticals Option

Shotgun·Doubles Offset 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.

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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetDoubles Offset Wk

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Spread Classic

Breakdown

Four Verticals Option out of Shotgun Doubles Offset Wk is a man and zone beating vertical stretch concept that sends four receivers up the seams and numbers to stack coverage and create one on one throwing lanes downfield. Unlike the base Four Verticals, this version gives the quarterback an option route conversion off the slot receiver, letting that route sit down against zone or continue vertical against man depending on the leverage of the underneath defender. The primary read progression starts with the deep middle safety: if he widens or bites on a seam, hit the post-safety window action, otherwise work the option route as your checkdown conversion versus soft zone before resetting to the backside vertical.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high safety alignment pre-snap since this concept is designed to overload the middle of the field against Cover 1 and Cover 3 shells. Watch the slot cornerback or nickel defender at the snap to see if he sinks with the option route or jumps underneath, which tells you whether to throw the conversion or climb the vertical. Key the deep middle safety’s first two steps after the snap, if he commits to one seam the opposite vertical route will be uncovered for a big play window. Beware disguised two high shells like Cover 4 or Cover 6 that roll late, since the four vertical stems can get swallowed by deep quarters defenders sitting on the numbers. Watch for user controlled lurk defenders sitting in the middle hook zone, as they can undercut the option route conversion if the quarterback stares it down too long.

Usage Tips

Check the middle of the field pre-snap to identify one high versus two high shells before the snap since this play thrives against single high man coverage with no true deep help.

If you see two deep safeties sitting at depth, prioritize the option route conversion on the slot receiver rather than forcing a vertical shot into a Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell.

Use hot routes to convert the backside outside receiver into a hitch or comeback if the corner is playing off man to give yourself a quick answer against Cloud coverage.

This play is best called on second and long or third and medium to long when defenses expect zone drops, and it pairs well with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Read Bubble earlier in a series to bait linebackers into cheating downhill.

Combine this play in a sequence with PA Dagger or Sail to keep defenders guessing between shallow option concepts and true vertical shots, forcing safeties to freeze on run action.