Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Z Option lines up out of Shotgun Normal Flex Snug with 11 personnel and shows a two receiver concept to the left along with an option route from the right side receiver. On the left, the inside receiver runs an option route breaking outside underneath while the outside receiver clears vertically then cuts hard upfield on a corner style route. On the right side, the lone receiver runs an option route off the line that can settle, break out, or work vertically based on the leverage of the defender covering him, and that route bends into a deep dig toward the opposite hash. This is a man beater built around option route conversions, with the primary read starting on the right side option route since it dictates its break versus man leverage, then working back to the left side combo if the option is covered.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify press man on the outside receivers since that is the biggest indicator this route concept will win quickly off the line. Watch safety depth before the snap, a single high safety rotating hard to one side often signals man coverage underneath which favors the option route conversions. Post-snap, key the flat defender or nickel corner on the right side option route, if he sits flat footed and reads run first the option route will break open behind him. Zone shells with two deep safeties and underneath zone defenders sinking into the option route landmarks can shut this down, so avoid forcing the option read versus clear Cover 2 or Cover 4 looks. Watch for a user controlled linebacker spying the option route or lurking in the throwing lane, since that is the most common way defenses take away the conversion route in competitive play.
Usage Tips
Check the cornerback leverage on the right side receiver before the snap because his inside or outside shade tells you which way the option route will break after the catch.
Use this play on third and short to medium since the option route conversion versus man coverage almost always creates separation for an easy conversion.
If you see press man across the board, hot route the left outside receiver into a quicker breaking route to speed up the timing against aggressive jams.
Pair this with All Curl or Whips Curls from the same set so defenses cannot sit on the option concept and must respect quick game as well as the developing option breaks.
Against off man coverage, look immediately to the right side option route since the cushion gives your receiver room to break away from the trailing defender for a big gain.
