Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Four Verticals out of Shotgun Normal Y Off sends all four eligible receivers vertically up the field, with the two outside receivers running straight seams up the sideline and the TE and slot receiver splitting the middle of the field on inside vertical stems. The HB stays in to check block and release late on a middle read that flares up the pipe if the box stays clean, while the offensive line sets up in a standard pass protection look. This is a classic Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater built to attack the seams before safeties can rotate over the top, with the primary read progression going from the two inside vertical routes (TE and slot seam) to the outside verticals if the safeties bail wide.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the safeties are showing two high or rotated to one high, since that dictates whether you are attacking Cover 2 seams or a Cover 3 deep third. Watch the flat defenders after the snap: if a linebacker or nickel corner sinks into the seam window instead of staying flat, that is a lurk threat sitting on the TE's inside vertical. Man coverage with no help over the top on the outside receivers means the sideline verticals win easily on a double move or straight speed release, especially against slower linebackers matched up on the TE. If the defense shows a Cover 4 or quarters shell with corners playing outside leverage and safeties reading the seams, expect the underneath throw to be taken away and look to check down to the HB. Blitz-heavy defenses that bring five or six rushers create one-on-one matchups downfield fast, so key on whether the offensive line has a hot protection call to buy the extra half second needed for the seam routes to develop.
Usage Tips
Check safety alignment before the snap: two deep safeties splitting the field wide open signals Cover 2, which means the seams between the corner and safety are the money throw.
If you see a single high safety, that is Cover 3, so target the inside vertical from the TE or slot since the flat defender cannot get enough depth to help the deep third defender.
Hot route the HB into a flat or seam route against man coverage if the blitz shows late, since the natural vertical stress on four defenders often leaves nobody to account for a fifth rusher.
Use this play on second and long or third and medium situations where the defense is more likely to sit in zone shells rather than crash the box.
Pair this call with Curl Flats or Slant Flat earlier in a series so the defense respects the shorter routes, then hit Four Verticals off the same formation and personnel look to catch safeties cheating up.
