Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Deep Attack is a four verticals based cover 3 beater out of the Shotgun Empty Base Trio set. Off the trips side the outside receiver runs a go route while the inner two receivers cross with an in and out combo underneath, and from the solo side the receiver runs a deep post while the slot defender's man drags across the formation on a deep in. With five receivers releasing and no run blocking shown, this is a pure dropback pass concept designed to stress every zone landmark on the field vertically and horizontally. The primary read progression starts with the deep post against single high safety shells, then works to the go route on the boundary before checking down to the crossing in route underneath.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety alignment before the snap, since a single high safety struggles to cover both verticals and the post at the same time. Watch for the deep in route crossing the field, as this is the route that beats cover 3 zone drops by settling in the void between the flat defender and the deep third corner. Key on the middle linebacker's depth, because if he sinks with the crossing route it opens up the underneath in and out combo on the trips side. This play is vulnerable to a cover 2 shell with two deep safeties splitting the field, since both verticals get squeezed and the corner routes have nowhere to go. Watch for a user controlled lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, since he can jump the deep in route or rob the post if the quarterback stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and long when the defense is showing two high safeties and you want to force a rotation to one side. Pre-snap, identify if the safeties are shaded toward the trips side, since that opens up the backside post for an explosive gain. Hot route the underneath crosser into a quick option if you diagnose a blitz, since the shallow in route settles quickly against pressure and gives the quarterback a hot read. Pair this play with Curl Combo or Stick Nod in your play-calling sequence to keep linebackers honest on shorter routes before hitting them with the go and post shots. Against man coverage, user the post route receiver and manipulate the free safety with your eyes before delivering the ball on a rhythm throw.
