Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Angle out of Shotgun Split Close Pro is a man beater built around the halfback's angle route, which releases out of the backfield and breaks flat into the middle of the field to attack linebackers who bite on run action or lose leverage in man coverage. The outside receiver to the boundary runs a deep vertical clear-out while the slot receiver works a corner route stemming toward the sideline, and the backside X and TE run a mesh style combo with a deep drag and a short comeback to hold underneath defenders. The primary read progression starts with the HB angle route working across the formation, then bounces to the corner route working the deep third if a linebacker or safety widens to take away the angle.
Defensive Reads
Key the linebacker assigned to the HB out of the backfield, if he widens with the running back on the angle break that confirms man coverage and the throw should come out fast. Watch for a spy or a lurking linebacker sitting in the shallow middle zone, this defender can undercut the angle route and turn it into a pick six if the QB stares it down. Check safety depth before the snap, a single high safety rotating down late often signals man coverage underneath which favors the angle route and corner route combo. Identify Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with corners playing outside leverage, these coverages funnel the corner route into the safety and force the QB back to the angle or drag underneath. Look for a blitz off the edge or A gap, since the HB releasing into the angle route can serve as the built in hot read to beat pressure before the protection breaks down.
Usage Tips
Throw the HB angle route immediately if you see man coverage on the running back, since defenders trailing out of the backfield rarely stay in phase on the angle break.
Use pre-snap motion on the HB to confirm man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows across the formation it is man coverage and the angle route becomes an easy conversion.
Against zone shells, look to the deep corner route or the backside drag since underneath zone defenders often sink and leave the angle route with less room to operate.
Pair this play with HB Option or PA Cheat Wrap Cross from the same set so defenses cannot sit on the HB route concept, keeping linebackers honest on run fits.
Best used on third and short to third and medium, or as a check versus a heavy blitz look since the quick angle route gives a hot throw against pressure.
