Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
All Go out of Empty Ace Shotgun sends four verticals at the defense, with both outside receivers running straight go routes up the sidelines while the inner slot runs a go route up the seam. The tight end aligned inside runs an under route across the field underneath the verticals, giving the quarterback a check-down option if the deep routes are covered. This is a pure man beater designed to isolate cornerbacks on go routes and stress single-high safeties, with the primary read progression starting at the seam go route, then working outside to the boundary go routes, and finally coming down to the underneath crosser if the defense drops into a deep shell.
Defensive Reads
Diagnose single-high versus two-high safety alignment before the snap since Cover 1 and Cover 3 shells are the most vulnerable to this four verticals concept. Watch cornerback press alignment: if corners are pressed with no safety help over the top, expect a big play on the outside go routes. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker and any deep safety rotation, since a robber or lurk defender sitting in the seam can undercut the inner go route and bait a turnover. Zone coverages like Cover 2 or Cover 4 with two deep safeties will squeeze the vertical passing lanes, so look for the underneath crosser to work as the checkdown against soft zone drops. Blitz-heavy defenses that bring extra rushers often play man behind it, so identify blitz indicators pre-snap since the quarterback needs a quick vertical read before pressure arrives.
Usage Tips
Use All Go on third and long or in two minute drill situations when you need an explosive play down the field against man coverage.
Check pre-snap for single-high safety looks like Cover 1 or Cover 3 since those shells leave corners on islands with no deep help over the top.
If the defense shows two deep safeties pre-snap, hot route the underneath crosser into a deeper option or be ready to check down quickly since the verticals will be capped.
Pair this play with Stick or Curl Flats in your play-calling sequence to set up quick game answers if the defense starts sitting back deep to take away the go routes.
Use manual coverage reads by clicking the receiver with the best matchup and controlling him to fight for position at the catch point against man coverage corners.
