Playbooks
Z Under
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Z Under is a five-man quick pass concept out of Shotgun Empty Trey Stack that isolates the two-receiver side to the left and floods the trips side to the right with a slant flat and drag combo. On the left, the outside receiver runs a deep corner while the inside stack receiver breaks on a quick slant, giving the QB a fast man beater read. On the right, the trips group works a slant flat with two receivers releasing into an under drag from opposite directions while the flat route sits low, and the QB progression starts with the slant flat combo before working back to the corner route against zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Read the flat defender first since the slant flat combo attacks any defender sitting too deep or too far inside. Watch for a user controlled linebacker sitting on the drag route since that lurk threat can jump the crossing route and create a turnover. Check safety depth pre-snap because a two high shell invites the corner route while a single high safety opens up the slant on the trips side. Identify man coverage by watching corner alignment on the two-receiver side since tight press alignment signals a matchup the slant can win immediately. Look for a nano blitz off the edge since the quick game routes are designed to beat pressure but a well timed blitz can still disrupt the throwing lane before the flat route develops.
Usage Tips
Fire the slant flat combo first on obvious man coverage since the flat route creates instant separation against press corners.
Use the drag route as your check down against blitz looks because it crosses the formation quickly and gets the ball out before pressure arrives.
If the defense shows Cover 3 pre-snap, target the corner route on the two-receiver side since it stretches the flat defender vertically.
Pair Z Under with Y Stick or Curl Flat Salem in your play-calling sequence to keep defenses guessing between quick game and intermediate stick concepts.
Use this play on second and short or third and short since the quick timing routes convert fast without needing a deep pocket.
