Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
Shock Slot Option lines up out of Shotgun Empty Base Trio with five receivers spread wide, giving the quarterback a clean pre-snap read of the entire second and third level. The outside receivers on both sides run go routes to clear out the corners and stress the deep quarters or deep half defenders, while the inside receiver to the boundary runs a vertical seam to hold the middle linebacker. The trips side features the key concept: the inner slot runs an option route that sits down in soft zones or breaks away from man leverage, while the receiver next to him runs a quick pivot/comeback to give the quarterback a built-in answer versus underneath pressure. This is a man beater on the option route side but also holds up against zone thanks to the option receiver settling in the void, with the primary read progression going option route first, then working outside to the go routes if the defense rolls coverage over the top.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage, especially with a slower linebacker or safety matched on the option route, is the biggest liability defenses face against this concept. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender can squeeze the option route, so look for the flat defender's depth and width before committing to that throw. Two-high shells with the safeties staying deep invite the option route to sit in the intermediate zone for an easy pickup, so attack that soft spot immediately after the snap. User-controlled defenders lurking underneath in the middle of the field can jump the option route if the quarterback stares it down, so use pump fakes or eye manipulation to hold that defender before releasing the ball. A well-timed zone blitz that drops a defensive lineman into the option route's zone while bringing pressure off the edge can disrupt this play, so check protection or get rid of the ball quickly if you see extra rushers.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two-high or single-high safety look because the option route becomes a much bigger threat against single-high man coverage where the slot defender lacks help.
If you see off-man coverage on the option route receiver, expect him to break outside for an easy pitch and catch; if it is press coverage, hot route him to a slant or quick out to avoid a jam disrupting the timing.
Use this play on third and medium to third and long since the option route naturally sits down at the sticks against zone or breaks open against man.
Pair this play with Verticals H Option or Deep Attack earlier in a drive to condition the defense to respect the vertical shots, which sets up the option route to break wide open underneath when the defense starts playing deep.
Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap; if he widens to the trips side to help in coverage, check to Slants or Stick Nod on the backside since you now have a numbers advantage away from the trips.
