Playbooks

Four Verticals

Shotgun·Empty Base·11

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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetEmpty Base

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Four Verticals out of Shotgun Empty Base sends all five eligible receivers vertically up the field, creating a true four man vertical stretch with no running back to check down to since the formation is empty. This is a premier man beater that stresses single high safeties and overloads Cover 3 zones by putting more verticals on the field than there are deep defenders. The primary read progression starts with the seams (inside receivers) since they attack the natural void between the hash and the numbers, then works to the outside verticals if the safety commits to a seam, with the read finishing on the deep dig or crosser (if the play includes a switch release) versus zone.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high safety shells before the snap, this is the biggest green light for Four Verticals since one deep defender cannot realistically cover the full width of the field. Watch for two deep safeties rotating post snap into Cover 4 or Cover 6, this shell is designed to take away verticals and forces you to check down or work a seam versus a linebacker in a hole. Key the middle linebacker depth, if he sits shallow expecting a shorter concept the seam route will open up behind him before the safety can rotate over. Look for user controlled safeties lurking in the deep middle, if you see a defender sitting at the highest point of the route stems be ready to move the ball to the opposite side quickly. Beware of disguised Cover 2 man under looks with a robber safety, this coverage take away seams and beats the underneath crossers if included, so recognize the corners playing tight man technique pre-snap and adjust your protection or route depth accordingly.

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see a single high safety this play is nearly automatic on the seam route against Cover 1 or Cover 3 since one defender cannot cover four verticals. Use motion or a hot route to convert one outside vertical into a shallow drag or spot route if you are worried about a deep zone shell like Cover 4 or Cover 2, this gives you an underneath outlet without abandoning the vertical stress. Attack this play on second and long or third and medium to long when defenses are more likely to sit in zone shells expecting a quick game concept. Pair this call with Stick or Curl Flats earlier in a series so the defense respects shorter routes, then hit them with Four Verticals once linebackers start sitting on underneath throws. Against man coverage, use your fastest slot receiver on the inside seam and let the route combo create natural separation off the release, do not force the ball if a user defender jumps the route early, work the progression to the opposite seam.