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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Redzone Scissors comes out of Shotgun Doubles Offset with 11 personnel and shows a true scissors concept on the boundary side, where the outside receiver runs a corner route while the inside slot receiver crosses underneath him on a shallow crossing route, creating natural traffic for defenders in man coverage. Across the field, the backside receiver runs a deep post while the tight end and running back work short outs and flat routes to occupy underneath zone defenders. This is a man beater built for the goal line and short yardage red zone situations, with the crossing action of the scissors concept designed to pick off man defenders while the post stretches single high safeties, and the primary read progression starts with the corner route working outside to inside toward the crosser.
Defensive Reads
Watch for single high safety alignment before the snap, since this tips a Cover 1 or Cover 3 shell that leaves the post route vulnerable to beating a deep defender working from the opposite hash. Key the cornerback technique on the boundary receiver, since tight press man alignment confirms the scissors crossing action will create a natural rub against man coverage. Post snap, track any user controlled defender flashing into the crossing lanes since a well timed lurk can jump the shallow crosser and undercut the throw. Identify if linebackers are dropping into hook zones quickly, which signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 and means you should trust the corner route to work into the open window against a rotating safety. If the defense shows two deep safeties pre-snap and the corners sit soft off the line, expect a zone shell that still allows the corner route to settle into the open area between the flat and deep defenders.
Usage Tips
Call this play inside the 15 yard line when you need a high percentage man beater against tight coverage. Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing man coverage by looking for tight press alignment on the outside receivers, since the scissors crossing action is most effective against man defenders who have to fight through traffic. If you see zone shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4, trust the design since this play is tagged as a beater for both, and progress from the corner route to the post route based on which safety rotates late. Use the flat route as your check down against blitz looks since it releases quickly and gives you a safety valve near the line of scrimmage. Pair this play with Double Slants or Slant Flat earlier in a series to condition the defense to sit on shorter routes, then hit Redzone Scissors to attack over the top once cornerbacks start jumping underneath routes.
