Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Double 7 Stop lines up out of Empty Chips Nasty in Shotgun with five receivers spread wide and no running back help in protection, which means this is a pure quick game concept built to get the ball out fast. The two outside receivers run go/flag routes stemming vertical to clear space, while the three inside receivers run hitch and out combinations at a shallow depth, creating a stop route triangle underneath. This is a Cover 3 beater and man beater built around timing, with the primary read progressing from the outside vertical clear-outs to the underside hitch and out routes that settle into the void left by dropping zone defenders or beat man coverage with quick separation at the top of the stem.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers sitting flat footed at the snap, since that is the biggest tell that Cover 3 zone drops will be late getting to the hitch and out landmarks underneath. Check safety depth pre-snap, because a single high safety usually signals Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which this concept is designed to exploit with its underneath route stops. If the cornerbacks show hard press alignment with no safety help over the top, expect the defense to jump the hitch routes and jam the release, which can disrupt timing and force the quarterback to hold the ball. User controlled defenders sitting in the shallow hook or curl zones can rob the stop routes and bait an interception, so scan for spot dropping linebackers before committing to the underneath read. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge with no delay will test the empty protection immediately, so recognize five or six man pressure pre-snap and be ready to get the ball out on the first read rather than progressing through the full concept.
Usage Tips
Fire this off quickly on early downs or in obvious passing situations where the defense expects a longer developing play, since the whole concept is designed to punish slow linebacker drops with a fast release and quick throw. Pre-snap, identify if the cornerbacks are playing off or press, because the hitch routes need separation at the break point against press man and will not work as cleanly if defenders jump the route early. Look for single high shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1, since the flood of stop routes underneath overloads the shallow zone landmarks and creates natural throwing windows for the quarterback. Hot route the backside out to a quick slant if you see the defense sitting on the stop concept, giving you a built in man beater adjustment without changing personnel. Pair this play with QB Zone or Dagger from the same set to keep the defense guessing between a quick game answer and a shot play, since both share the same Empty Chips Nasty alignment and disguise your intentions until after the snap.
Other Plays in Empty Chips Nasty
DaggerDagger, Pass Play, Cover 2 Beater +1
Dagger Deep CurlCurl, Dagger, Pass Play +2
Deep Post OutOut, Post, Pass Play
Dig StickDig, Stick, Stick Concept +1
Double SwirlPass Play, Quick Pass, Out +4
Out X DigOut, Dig, Pass Play
Post CrossPost, Pass Play, Crosser- QB Zone
Slot SailSail, Pass Play, Cover 2 Beater +1
X CrossCrosser, Pass Play- X Whip In