Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
986 is a Four Verticals concept out of Empty Base Shotgun with 11 personnel, spreading five eligible receivers across the formation with no running back in the backfield to protect. From the diagram, the outside receivers on both sides run deep go routes to stretch the cornerbacks vertically, the inside receiver on the left runs a shallow out breaking to the sideline, the slot receiver on the right of center runs a corner route, and the tight end or third receiver runs a seam route straight up the middle of the field. This is a classic Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater that floods the deep and intermediate zones simultaneously, with the primary read progression starting at the seam route against Cover 2 (the natural void between the corner and safety) before working to the corner route and outside verticals if the safeties rotate away.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check for two deep safeties indicating Cover 2, this play is designed to exploit the seam and corner routes against that shell. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they sink hard to cover the seam route it opens up the shallow out route for an easy completion. Post-snap, identify any user-controlled defender flying to the deep middle to rob the seam route, that is the biggest threat to this concept and should redirect the quarterback to the outside verticals or corner route. Against Cover 3, the deep third defender to the corner route side is the key defender, if he widens with the vertical route the corner route sits down in the open window behind him. Watch for disguised blitzes since Empty Base with no back leaves the quarterback fully exposed, a well timed nano blitz or overload pressure can force a quick throw before routes develop.
Usage Tips
Identify the safety shell before the snap, if you see two deep safeties split wide, attack the seam route immediately since that is the soft spot in Cover 2.
Against single high safety looks (Cover 3 or Cover 1), work the corner route or the far side vertical since the deep middle defender cannot cover the whole field.
Use the shallow out route as a checkdown against pressure or when the defense drops eight into coverage, it is a quick answer versus blitzes.
Pair this play with Curl Flats or Stick in your play-calling sequence to keep the defense guessing between a vertical shot and a horizontal stretch, this sets up 986 later in the drive once the defense sits on shorter routes.
Best called on second and long or third and long situations where the defense is more likely to play zone shells, and away from empty-formation blitz-heavy tendencies since there is no protection help for the quarterback.
