Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Hitch Corner out of Shotgun Split Offset lines up with two receivers stacked to the left and one isolated to the right, plus a check-release back releasing into a short flat route. The left side runs a corner route from the outside receiver stretching the sideline vertically while the inside receiver runs a hitch underneath, and the lone receiver on the right runs a corner route up the numbers with the back running a shallow hitch/flat underneath him. This is a man beater built on high-low stretches on both sides of the field, using hitch-to-corner combos to attack cornerbacks playing tight coverage, with the primary read starting on the right side corner route against single coverage before working back to the left side corner and hitch combo.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell, since two high safeties can rob the corner routes on both sides. Watch cornerback depth at the snap, if they are playing off coverage the hitch routes will be there immediately underneath. Key on any user-controlled defender flying to the flat or hitch area, that leaves the corner route open behind them for the deep shot. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender can take away the underneath hitch but leaves the deep corner route vulnerable if the cornerback bites on the hitch fake. Watch for a blitz off the edge since the back releasing into the route concept reduces protection, making this play risky against pressure heavy fronts.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, single high shells leave the corner routes on islands against cornerbacks which is exactly what this play wants.
If you see press man or a cornerback shaded inside, throw the corner route quickly before the double move route develops fully.
Use the hitch routes as your check down against zone drops or if the corner route is blanketed by a safety rotating over the top.
Pair this play with Deep Curls or Deep Comeback in your play calling sequence to keep defenses guessing between hitch and go-route based concepts out of the same formation.
Best used on second or third and medium situations where the sideline hitch or corner route conversion is manageable if the deep shot is not there.
