Playbooks
At a Glance
Overview
Empty Base Trio empties the backfield out of 11 personnel, putting three receivers to one side (the trio) and a split pair to the other while the running back flexes out as a receiver rather than staying in to protect. That is the defining difference from standard Shotgun sets in this formation: there is no blocker behind the quarterback, so every defender the offense does not account for pre-snap is a free runner. In exchange, you force the defense to declare its coverage immediately. Five eligible receivers spread across the width of the field means the defense has to either bump a linebacker or safety out to the trio side or leave a bracket open somewhere, and that read is available before the snap.
The trio alignment is where the matchup leverage comes from. The number three receiver inside is almost always covered by a linebacker or a dropping safety in man coverage, which is exactly the mismatch you want with a tight end who has receiver ratings or a 3DRB tagged back flexed into the slot. Plays like Shock Levels, Shock Slot Option, and Verticals H Option let you attack that inside defender with option routes and short crossers, while Drive Switch Seams and Slot Fade Cross stress the trio side vertically with stacked release traffic that man defenders struggle to navigate.
Backside, the isolated receiver gets a true one on one look with no help unless the defense rotates a safety over, making this set ideal for SLWR tagged burners on Stick Nod, All Hitch, and Slants. The set also carries gadget value through QB Draw, Bubble Screen, and X Mid Screen, which punish defenses that vacate the box to cover five receivers. That run and screen element is what keeps Empty Base Trio from being purely a passing gimmick: you get a legitimate constraint play off every spread look.
Strengths
- Five eligible receivers force an immediate pre-snap coverage declaration, letting you count the box and identify man versus zone before the snap without motioning anyone.
- The number three receiver in the trio draws a linebacker or safety in man, creating a clean mismatch you can attack with Shock Slot Option, Verticals H Option, or a hot routed option route.
- Drive Switch Seams and Slot Fade Cross generate stacked and switched releases on the trio side, which breaks man coverage and creates natural traffic that user defenders cannot shed cleanly.
- The isolated backside receiver plays one on one with no underneath help on Stick Nod, Slants, and All Hitch, making this the go to set for feeding an SLWR tagged deep threat.
- QB Draw, Bubble Screen, and X Mid Screen punish light boxes and vacated middles, giving you real constraint plays when the defense spreads out to match five receivers.
- All Curl and Curl Combo flood zone hooks at multiple depths, forcing Cover 3 and Cover 4 droppers to choose between curls and the flat.
Weaknesses
- No back in the backfield means no extra protector, so five man pressure and any nano blitz overload gets home fast with nothing to chip or pick up the free runner.
- Blitzing off the trio side edge is nearly impossible to block, and slide protection audibles only shift the problem to the other side.
- Cover 2 Man and heavy man coverage with a user controlled safety in the middle can sit on the inside slot routes, since the set has no run threat to hold the linebackers.
- The set has zero downhill run game, so heavy run schemes and Power HB tagged backs are wasted here and your play calling becomes predictable on second and third down.
- Opponents who recognize the empty look will bring press man with a spy, killing both QB Draw and the quick hitters underneath.
- Deeper developing concepts like Deep Attack and Wheel Cross require time this set often does not have against pressure.
Usage Tips
Count the box pre snap. If the defense leaves five or fewer in the box and the linebackers are stacked inside, QB Draw and Bubble Screen become free yards before you ever throw downfield.
Against single high man, work the isolated backside receiver on Stick Nod or hot route him to a fade. Against two high zone, flip to the trio side and let All Curl or Curl Combo settle in the vacated hooks.
Hot route the inside trio receiver to a drag or option route when you see a linebacker walk out on him, then read his hips at the snap for the easy pitch and catch against man.
Use Hoss Juke and Hitches Slot In on third and medium as your pressure beat, since the quick hitches and juke release give you an answer before a free rusher arrives.
Do not live in this set. Mix it with your base run formations so the empty look stays a change of pace, and always check the edge on the trio side for an unblocked blitzer before snapping.
Slot Shake and Drag Slot Fade are your man beaters when a user controlled defender is sitting on the slot, since the release moves and vertical stem clear him out of the throwing window.
Plays (21)
- All CurlCurl, Hitch, Pass Play
All HitchHitch, Pass Play- Bubble ScreenScreen Pass, Bubble Screen, Hitch +2
Curl ComboCurl, Pass Play, Flat
Deep AttackPass Play, Four Verts, Go +6
Divide Double InIn, Pass Play, Curl +2
Double Slant StickSlant, Stick, Stick Concept +3
Drag Slot FadeFade, Pass Play, Corner +4
Drive Switch SeamsDrive, Pass Play, Cover 4 Beater +5
Hitches Slot InHitch, Pass Play, Corner +3
Hoss JukePass Play, Four Verts, Go +6
QB DrawDraw, Qb Draw, Designed Qb Run +1- Shock LevelsHitch, In, Streak +1
Shock Slot OptionOption Route, Motion, Pass Play +3
SlantsSlant, Pass Play, Flat
Slot Fade CrossFade, Pass Play, Crosser +4
Slot ShakePass Play, Quick Pass, Out +6
Stick NodStick, Stick Concept, Pass Play +3
Verticals H OptionOption Route, Four Verts, Pass Play +8- Wheel CrossWheel, Crosser, Deep Cross +3
X Mid ScreenScreen Pass, Pass Play, Bubble Screen
