Playbooks

Return HB Scissors

Shotgun·Normal Y Off·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Saints OffenseOffenseNFL Live Saints OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Return HB Scissors is a route concept play out of Shotgun Normal Y Off that uses a scissors combo, crossing routes that exchange levels between two receivers to create natural separation against man coverage. The Return tag motions a receiver back across the formation pre-snap, adjusting leverage and helping identify man versus zone before the ball is even snapped. This is primarily a man beater built to exploit trailing defenders on the crossing action, with the primary read starting on the scissors combo side and working to the HB check down as a built-in outlet if the crossers get clogged by underneath zone.

Defensive Reads

Watch the defender assigned to the Return motion man, if he follows across the formation it confirms man coverage and you should attack the scissors combo immediately. Check safety depth pre-snap, two high safeties usually signal Cover 2 or Cover 4 which can bracket the scissors combo, so be ready to check down to the HB. Against Cover 3, the flat defender and deep third defender have to communicate the crossing routes, look for late or lazy zone drops to find the throwing window in the middle of the field. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge leave the crossers isolated on linebackers, which is a favorable matchup for the scissors combo. If you see a user controlled defender sitting in the shallow crossing lane acting as a lurk, avoid throwing into that traffic and reset to the HB checkdown instead.

Usage Tips

Use the Return motion pre-snap to bait linebackers or safeties into showing man coverage, if a defender follows the motion man across the formation you know you have a man beater available. Key on the scissors combo first since the crossing routes create natural picks against man defenders, especially against Cover 1 and Cover 3 man variants. If the defense shows soft zone or sits underneath, check the ball down quickly to the HB rather than forcing the crossers into a zone beater situation where they are not designed to win. This play works best on second or third and medium since the crossing routes need a full route stem to separate. Pair this with Return Same Side Zone or Return Double Slants in your play-calling sequence so the Return motion tag becomes unpredictable and defenses cannot key on it as a tell for man coverage. Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out if you see aggressive cornerback press to give yourself a rhythm throw against blitz looks.

Other Plays in Normal Y Off