Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Verticals out of Empty Steeler in Shotgun sends all five eligible receivers vertical or into the vertical stem, with the two outside receivers on each side running straight verticals up the numbers and the slot receiver to the trips side breaking off into a deep dig/crosser that cuts across the middle of the field. The single receiver to the weak side runs a short option route breaking outside, giving you a quick underneath outlet if the defense drops eight into coverage. This is a classic four verts shell beater designed to stress both Cover 2 and Cover 3, and with five eligible receivers releasing there is no run blocking, so the quarterback has to get through his progression fast starting with the deep crosser working from the far sideline back to the frontside vertical.
Defensive Reads
Watch the corners at the snap, if they turn and run with the outside verticals in man coverage that confirms man beater potential, look for natural picks created by receivers crossing paths downfield. Key the deep safeties post-snap, in Cover 2 they will bracket the outside verticals so the crosser sitting behind the underneath zone becomes the answer. In Cover 3 or Cover 1 looks the single deep safety has to choose a vertical threat, so identify which safety leans and throw opposite him. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the deep middle lurk or jumping the crosser route, that is the biggest post-snap threat to this concept. Recognize disguised blitzes since this play has no protection help beyond the offensive line, if you see extra rushers crash the pocket get the ball out quickly to the backside option route.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify whether the safeties are showing two high or rotating to a single high shell before the snap, since that tells you which vertical to prioritize.
Against Cover 2 target the deep crosser coming across the field, it will split the two deep safeties and settle into the void behind the flat defenders.
Against Cover 3 or single high look, the outside verticals against the corners are your best shot since only one safety has to cover the deep middle.
Use the short option route on the backside as a checkdown versus heavy pressure or when the defense drops extra bodies into deep coverage, it is a built in answer against the blitz.
Pair this play with Steelers Shake or Steeler HB Screen in your call sequence so defenses that start jumping the verticals get burned by the quick game and screen game underneath.
Best called on second and long or third and long when you need a big chunk play and can live with a sack risk if protection breaks down.
