Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Shock WR Option lines up from an Empty Base Flex Shotgun set with 11 personnel and uses a pre-snap motion to check leverage before the snap. Off the motion, the outside receiver runs a vertical seam, the next receiver in also climbs vertically, the option receiver breaks into a quick option route out of the bunch, and the far outside receiver runs a deep corner/go route up the sideline while the lone inline receiver on the right sprints a straight go. The primary read starts with the option route to see how the defender leverages it, then works outside to the corner route and vertical shots if the option is cut off. This is a man beater built to exploit undersized nickel or linebackers matched up on the option route, with the verticals stressing single-high safeties.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defender assigned to the motion receiver before the snap, if he travels with the motion it confirms man coverage and the option route becomes the top priority read. Check safety depth and alignment, a single deep safety shading toward the trips side signals Cover 1 or Cover 3 and opens up the backside vertical and corner routes. Post-snap, identify if a linebacker or slot defender squats on the option route, since that indicates zone coverage and the quarterback should look to the vertical seam or corner route instead. Look for a lurking defender sitting underneath the option route in zone coverage, this is the biggest threat to the quick option throw and should push the read to the outside verticals. Beware disguised blitzes off the edge, if the defense shows extra rushers near the line the quarterback needs a quick answer, so the option route serves as the built-in hot route against pressure.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to confirm man versus zone before the snap, since a defender running with the motion man confirms man coverage and tells you the option route will likely win.
Against off-man or press-man corners, prioritize the option route early since it gives the receiver a built-in break to counter the leverage of the defender.
Against single-high safety looks like Cover 1 or Cover 3, take a shot on the deep corner route to the field side since the safety has to respect the vertical stems from the other receivers.
Pair this play with Stick or WR Screen earlier in a series to get defenders sitting on shorter routes, then dial up Shock WR Option to hit the option route and vertical shots once the defense bites on quicker throws.
Best used on second or third and medium when defenses are more likely to play man coverage with underneath help, since the option route has room to break and the verticals can punish a blitz.
