Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Pitt DBL Ins is a Shotgun Split Close pass concept built around a double in route combo working from opposite sides of the field at different depths. The outside receiver runs a deep in that crosses the middle at a high depth, while the slot/inline receiver runs a shallower in that settles underneath, and on the opposite side a receiver runs a deep vertical up the sideline to hold the safety. This is a man beater that also stresses zone defenders with two in-cutting routes hitting at staggered depths, and the primary read progression is the deep in first (looking for a window over the linebackers), then working down to the shallow in as the checkdown against tighter man coverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment since a single high safety can be manipulated by the vertical route, opening the deep in route behind linebackers. Watch for cornerback press alignment on the outside receiver, which signals man coverage and favors an aggressive throw to the deep in route. Post-snap, key on linebacker drops since a lurking linebacker sitting in the middle of the field can jump the shallow in route and create a turnover opportunity. Identify blitz packages quickly since a hot in route can be a quick answer against pressure if the shallow in route settles before the blitz arrives. This play is countered by Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with disciplined linebacker zone drops that clog the passing lanes both in routes are designed to attack.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two deep safeties or single high, since the deep in route benefits from a safety being pulled away by the vertical route on the opposite side.
If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, take the deep in on a rhythm throw as soon as the receiver clears the linebacker level.
Against zone shells, work the shallow in as your first read since it settles into the soft spot between the underneath zone and the linebackers.
Use the vertical route as a decoy to hold the deep safety and open passing lanes for both in routes, especially against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells.
Pair this play with Dig Slot Out or Dig Y-out in your play-calling sequence to keep the defense guessing between in-breaking and out-breaking concepts from the same personnel and formation look.
