Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Exit Slot Option lines up out of Shotgun Normal Y Off with 11 personnel and shows a four man route concept built to attack zone defenses on the outside edges. The two outside receivers run vertical clear out routes up the numbers to stretch the deep coverage, the slot receiver runs an option route that breaks outward and up the seam based on the leverage of the underneath defender, and the running back releases on a simple check release vertical route up the middle of the field. The primary read starts with the slot option route since the QB reads the flat or hook defender leverage first, then progresses to the deep outside routes if the option route gets taken away by a sinking zone defender.
Defensive Reads
Watch for the slot cornerback or nickel defender leveling up on the option route pre-snap, this tips whether he plans to sit underneath or bail into a deeper zone. Post-snap, track the flat defender's drop angle, if he sinks hard toward the sideline the option route should break vertically into the seam for an open throw. This concept struggles against aggressive man coverage with inside leverage on the slot since there is no natural rub or pick to clear him free, look for press man alignment as a red flag. Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone shells are vulnerable here because the option route settles into the soft spot vacated by underneath zone drops, especially if the flat defender widens too far. Beware of user controlled linebackers sitting in the passing lane of the option route, a smart human defender can squat and jump this route if the QB telegraphs the throw too early.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two high or single high safety look because this play thrives against zone shells with soft underneath coverage.
Key the slot defender before the snap, if he is sitting flat footed near the line expect him to jump the option route so be ready to hot route the slot receiver into a deeper breaking route against aggressive zone drops.
Use this on early downs like first or second and medium to keep the defense honest against both zone drop coverage and man coverage since the option route adjusts based on leverage.
Pair this play with Curl Flats or Curls Lead Swing in the same set to give the defense a similar pre-snap picture while attacking different levels of the field, this keeps linebackers guessing on their drops.
If the defense starts jumping the option route after repeated calls, sequence into RPO Peek Slant or Slant Flat from this same formation to hit the void the option route usually attacks.
