Playbooks
Breakdown
Verticals out of Shotgun Empty Bunch sends all five eligible receivers vertical or on angles designed to stretch the field, with four true vertical stems and one deep crosser working from the bunch side. The bunch receiver runs a deep dig/crosser across the middle while the inside slot climbs to a deep out breaking route, and both outside receivers plus the isolated X sprint straight up the numbers on verticals. This is a classic four verts (five out) Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater with no blocking scheme shown since it is an empty protection pass concept, and the primary read progression starts with the deep crosser working opposite the bunch, then works to the isolated vertical on the backside before checking down to the two remaining verticals stacking the seams.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and spacing since two deep safeties evenly split signals Cover 2 while a single high safety shading toward the bunch signals Cover 3 or Cover 1. Watch the flat defender or corner aligned over the bunch receivers, as their initial jump on the underneath route can open or close the crossing lane for the deep dig. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker or nickel defender assigned to the deep crosser since a shallow zone drop or late reaction opens up the entire middle of the field. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest liability, especially if a linebacker or slower defender is matched on any of the vertical releases. This play struggles against a well timed Cover 4 or Cover 6 shell with disciplined deep defenders who stay on top of the verticals, and it can be exposed by a delayed blitz that collapses the pocket before routes fully develop.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense shows two deep safeties or one high safety before the snap since this play punishes both shells differently.
Against Cover 2, target the deep crosser sitting behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties for an easy pitch and catch.
Against Cover 3, work the seam verticals that split the underneath zone defenders from the deep third defenders, especially if the flat defender widens with the outside release.
Use the empty backfield to bait blitzes on early downs, then hot route the backside vertical into a quick out or slant if you see man coverage with no safety help over the top.
Pair this play with Curl Flats or Spacing from the same Empty Bunch set to keep the defense guessing between quick underneath throws and the vertical shot, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their zone drops.
