Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
QB Draw out of Empty Y Slot shows five eligible receivers spread wide with no running back in the backfield, selling a pass look before the QB delays and follows his blocking up the middle. The diagram shows the outside receivers running vertical clear out routes on both sides while the two inside slot receivers work short hooks to occupy underneath defenders and hold linebackers, opening the interior running lane. This is a designed QB run built to punish aggressive pass rush upfield and empty box zone or man coverage that bites on the play fake, with the primary read being the QB patiently reading the interior gap created by the offensive line's pass-set-turned-run-block scheme.
Defensive Reads
Watch for man coverage across the board with cornerbacks pressed on the outside receivers, since man defenders turning their backs to run with vertical routes leaves the middle of the field vacated for the QB. Identify soft zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 where linebackers drop into shallow zones, because those linebackers reading pass first are late to fill run gaps against the delayed draw action. Key the defensive tackles and edge rushers post-snap, if they are upfield and out of their gaps chasing a pass rush, the interior lane opens immediately for the QB. User-controlled defenders spying the quarterback or a linebacker staying home in the A-gap are the biggest counters to this play, so avoid calling QB Draw if you see a spy alignment pre-snap. Bring extra interior run blitzes or stunts up the middle to beat this concept, since the offensive line is pass setting initially and struggles to adjust to fast interior penetration.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in short yardage situations like 2nd or 3rd and short when defenses expect a quick pass out of empty formation.
Check the defensive front pre-snap and look for aggressive edge rushers or a light box, since Empty formations often bait defenses into rushing four or five with no true run fit discipline.
Use the hook routes from the slot receivers as a built in hold on underneath defenders, so avoid hot routing them away or you lose the linebacker occupation that springs the draw.
Pair this with Curl Flats or Stick from the same set to keep defenses honest on quick game reads, then dial up QB Draw once you see linebackers sitting shallow or blitzing off the edge.
Avoid calling this against interior run blitzes or heavy zone pressure looks since the delayed action gives penetrating defensive tackles time to blow up the play in the backfield.
