Playbooks
Breakdown
Shock WR Option is an Empty backfield pass concept out of Shotgun that stresses the defense with five vertical or option-based routes and no blocking help in the backfield, forcing a quick decision from the quarterback. The outside receiver on the left runs a vertical seam, the inside slot receiver runs a straight vertical route, the middle receiver runs a go route, the receiver just outside him breaks on a corner route up the sideline, and the closest receiver to the formation runs a short option route (the hook/curl breaker) that reads the underneath defender. This is a man beater that also has answers versus zone, with the primary read progression starting on the option route working through the middle read to the vertical route on the strong side, and finally the corner route on the outside as a big-play shot if coverage bites underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the safety alignment: a single-high safety signals man or Cover 3, which opens up the corner route and outside vertical for big plays. Watch the cornerback over the option route receiver at the snap; if he sits and reads rather than mirroring the motion, expect zone coverage underneath. Post-snap, key the flow of the middle linebacker and any user-controlled lurk defender since they can jump the option route or the inside vertical route if the quarterback stares it down. This play struggles against a well-timed Cover 2 shell with squatting corners, since the underneath option route and inside vertical routes have limited room to work against zone drops that clog the intermediate area. Look for blitz packages that overload one side, since Empty formations have no protection help, meaning a hot route or quick option throw is mandatory to prevent a sack when extra rushers are shown pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion on the option route receiver to identify man versus zone before the snap, since a defender following the motion confirms man coverage and opens up the option route as your first read.
Against single-high safety looks, prioritize the corner route on the right since it attacks the seam outside the safety's range for a explosive gain.
If the defense shows two-high shells, work the option route and the inside vertical route quickly since the middle of the field will be occupied by the deep safeties.
Combine this play with Stick or Curl Flats earlier in a series to set up defenders expecting quick underneath throws, then hit this play's vertical routes when linebackers and corners sit low.
This play works best on second and long or third and medium since it gives multiple route depths, letting you check down to the option route if the defense drops extra defenders into coverage.
