Playbooks
TE Scissors Texas
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Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
TE Scissors Texas is a Shotgun Doubles Y Off passer built around a scissors concept on the backside and a Texas route out of the backfield. The outside receiver runs a deep corner while the slot crosses underneath into a deep post, creating the scissors crossing pattern that clears out zone defenders on that side, while the RB runs the Texas route (angle out of the backfield settling into the middle) and the backside X runs a deep dig that crosses the field. This is a Cover 2 and Cover 4 beater, with the primary read progression starting on the scissors crossers (post over corner) before working to the Texas check down underneath if the deep shots are covered.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, look for two deep safeties or a four across shell, since this play is schemed specifically to punish Cover 2 and Cover 4 zone drops. Watch the flat and corner defenders on the scissors side, if they sit on the corner route the underneath crosser will pull them out of position for the post behind them. Key the middle linebacker or nickel defender assigned to the Texas route out of the backfield, a shallow zone drop there can jump the checkdown and blow up the underneath option. A hard user blitz off the edge or a delayed lurk defender sitting in the crossing lanes can disrupt the timing of the scissors concept before it fully develops. Man coverage with tight press at the line is the best answer since it eliminates the natural picks created by the crossing routes and forces the quarterback to hold the ball longer.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the safeties are showing two high or rotating to single high, since this play is designed to exploit Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells with the scissors crossers.
If you see man coverage, hot route the Texas back into a quicker option or check him down immediately since the deep crossers take time to develop against tight man leverage.
Use this play on second and long or third and medium situations where you need a defined intermediate to deep window but still want a checkdown safety valve versus the blitz.
Pair this call with Four Verticals or Y-sail earlier in a series so the defense respects vertical shots, then come back to TE Scissors Texas to attack the same shell with a delayed crossing action.
Watch the flow of the linebackers at the snap, if they widen with the Texas route it opens a throwing lane for the deep post on the scissors side.
