Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
WR Corners out of Shotgun Split Offset lines up two receivers to the right and one to the left with a running back in the backfield. Both outside receivers on the right run vertical stems that break into corner routes toward the sideline, while the inside slot receiver on the right runs a quick out to the flat, creating a natural high low stretch on that side. The lone receiver to the left runs a deep corner route as well, isolating his cornerback one on one on the boundary. This is a man beater concept designed to attack off man coverage with two separate corner combos, and the primary read progression starts with the isolated left corner route against man coverage before working to the flooded right side corner and flat combo.
Defensive Reads
Watch the cornerback depth at the snap, if they are playing tight man coverage with no safety help over the top the corner routes will win quickly. Identify two high safety shells pre-snap since that alignment signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 which will squeeze the corner routes and force you to check down to the flat. Track the flat defender on the right side after the snap, if a linebacker or nickel corner sinks late into the flat the underneath out route becomes an easy completion. Beware of a user controlled safety lurking in the deep half, a smart defender will sit and rob the corner route breakpoint, so pump fake or hold the ball to bait the user before releasing. Cover 3 with a deep third defender can undercut the isolated left corner route, so recognize a single high safety rotating toward that side and adjust your first read to the right side combo instead.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties rotate your first read to the flat route on the right since the corners will have zone help over the top. Against single high or man coverage shells, take the shot to the isolated left corner route immediately since it is a true one on one matchup on the boundary. Use hot routes to convert the right slot flat route into a quick option route if you are facing aggressive man corners who jump routes. This play works best on second and long or third and medium when defenses are more likely to sit in zone shells to prevent the big play. Pair this call with Deep Curls or Slants Middle earlier in a drive to bait cornerbacks into sitting on shorter routes, then hit them with the corner shots once they bite.
