Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
DBL Ins is a route concept out of Shotgun Split Flanker Close (20 personnel) that stacks two in-breaking routes at intermediate depth while a third receiver clears out with a deep vertical from the isolated X. On the diagram, the two receivers to the trips side run in routes that break inward from opposite landmarks, one shallow crosser settling underneath and one deeper in route sitting behind it, creating a natural high-low read against zone drops. The backside X runs a vertical seam to hold the deep safety and open throwing lanes underneath, with the primary progression starting on the shallow in route, working up to the deeper in route, and using the vertical as a hot read against man coverage or blitz.
Defensive Reads
Read the linebacker depth at the snap, if they sink too fast into the shallow in route the deeper in route will be wide open behind them. Watch for a user controlled defender flashing down into the shallow in route lane, that lurk read signals you need to climb the progression immediately to the deeper in breaker. Check safety rotation post-snap, if both safeties bail into deep quarters or two-man the underneath in routes will have more room since there is less linebacker help. Cover 3 with aggressive underneath zone drops is the toughest matchup for this concept since it clogs both in route windows, so be ready to check down or use the vertical as a pressure release. Man coverage with no help over the top is where the backside vertical wins, so key the cornerback's press alignment on the X, if he is playing tight man that route is live immediately.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two-high or single-high safety because DBL Ins thrives against zone shells that leave soft spots between the linebacker level and the deep safeties.
Use the shallow in route as your primary progression on obvious zone drops, then climb to the deeper in route if the first window closes, since the stacked in routes naturally clear out linebackers who commit early.
If the defense shows man coverage or a hard blitz look, go directly to the backside vertical from the X since that route is designed as your built in answer against press or aggressive man alignment.
Pair this play in sequence with X Dig or Pivot Dig from the same set to keep the defense guessing between single and double in breaking concepts, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their zone drops.
This concept is best called on second and medium to third and medium since the in routes need time to develop and settle into throwing windows created by linebacker movement.
