Playbooks
Texas U-Out out of Shotgun Split U Off Close is a route concept built around an out route paired with an underneath U-shaped settle route to attack the flat and intermediate zones simultaneously. The 22 personnel grouping gives you extra blocking and play-action disguise potential while the out route stretches the sideline against zone drops and the U route sits down against man coverage for a quick, high percentage completion. Primary read progression starts with the out route breaking to the boundary, then works down to the U route settling underneath if the corner squats on the out, and finally checks off to any backside outlet if both are covered.
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety shells since Texas U-Out is designed to exploit the seams in both Cover 3 and Cover 2 zone drops. Watch the flat defender post-snap: if he sinks with the out route, the U route will have a soft window to settle into for an easy pitch and catch. Key the corner's press or off alignment before the snap, tight man coverage with no help over the top invites a quick out throw before the corner can recover. Look for user-controlled defenders lurking in the shallow zone since a heads up user playing underneath can jump the U route and bait a turnover. Beware disguised blitzes from the slot or nickel defender since this concept relies on a clean pocket for the quarterback to hit the second read on the U route, and a nano blitz off the edge can force a rushed throw.
Use this play on third and short to third and medium situations where the sticks are inside the U route settle depth and the out route can pick up the rest.
Check the corner alignment before the snap: if he is playing off man or soft zone, the out route will win quickly on the boundary side.
Against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, target the U route sitting in the underneath hole between the flat defender and the hook defender.
Hot route the U route into a shallow drag if you diagnose Cover 2 with a hard corner jam, giving you a quicker outlet against the flat defender.
Pair this play with PA Spinner Post Flood in your call sheet: run Texas U-Out early to establish the quick out and U combo, then dial up the play-action shot off the same formation once the safeties start creeping up to jump the underneath routes.