Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Verticals out of Shotgun Empty Base sends five eligible receivers vertical with no running back to protect, forcing the offensive line to hold up in a hot protection scheme. The two inside receivers break off their stems, with the far left running a deep in that turns into a crossing route to the opposite sideline, while the near left inside receiver runs a skinny post from the slot. The two outside receivers on the right side push straight vertical seams while the tight end (red route) works a vertical release up the middle of the field, creating a true four verticals shell designed to stretch the field horizontally and vertically. This is a man beater and a Cover 2 or Cover 3 beater, with the primary read progressing from the deep middle seam (tight end) to the post breaking across the field, then working outside to the vertical seams if the middle is taken away.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the safety alignment first since two high safeties signal Cover 2 or Cover 4 while one deep safety signals Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which this concept is designed to attack. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker or deep safety rotation to see if they widen out to cover the crossing route, which opens up the seam behind them for the tight end. Watch for a user-controlled defender sitting in a deep middle lurk technique, since that is the primary counter to this concept and will jump the crossing route or the post if the quarterback stares it down too long. Man coverage with no help over the top gets shredded by the vertical seams, so check corner and linebacker leverage before the snap to see if they are playing tight man technique. Heavy blitz packages with five or more rushers can beat this play quickly since there is no running back to help in protection, so watch for overload blitzes off the edge or interior twists at the snap.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for single high versus two high safety shells before the snap since this play is built to punish both Cover 2 and Cover 3 looks. Against Cover 3, target the seam route from the tight end running vertical since it sits in the void between the flat defender and the deep third safety. Against Cover 2, hot route the outside verticals to sit down around 18 to 20 yards to work underneath the two deep safeties before they can get over the top. Use this play on early downs or obvious passing situations where the defense may sit in zone coverage, and pair it in your play-calling sequence with Slot Drive or Stick to keep the defense off balance between quick game and vertical shots. Since there is no running back in the empty backfield, snap the ball quickly against pressure-heavy defenses or audible into a max protect look if you see extra rushers showing pre-snap.
