Playbooks

Verticals HB Angle

Shotgun·Split Y-Flex·21
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Verticals HB Angle sends three or more receivers straight up the field on vertical stems to stretch the defense from top to bottom, while the HB releases into an angle route out of the backfield as the outlet against man or blitz coverage. Protection is a standard shotgun pass slide that picks up interior pressure but leaves the HB responsible for reading blitz off the edge before releasing. The primary read progression starts with the vertical shots on the outside to look for a one on one bust or blown coverage, then works down to the HB angle route as the built in answer against man coverage or when the rush forces a quick decision.

Defensive Reads

Identify two high safety shells (Cover 2 or Cover 4) pre snap since these coverages will have help over the top on the verticals, making the HB angle route your fastest and safest answer. Watch for single high safety looks (Cover 1 or Cover 3) which leave the deep middle exposed to a vertical seam route if you can identify man coverage on the linebacker or nickel matched up on the HB. Key the linebacker assigned to the HB out of the backfield: if he widens too far or bites on a run fake, the angle route will break open underneath for an easy pitch and catch. Recognize disguised blitzes by watching the slot defender and nearest linebacker crash the box before the snap, since this play is vulnerable to a fast interior blitz that beats the protection before verticals develop. This concept is shut down hard by aggressive zone coverage with a rat in the middle or a Tampa 2 look that squats a linebacker in the deep middle hole, taking away both the seam verticals and the angle route breakpoint.

Usage Tips

Use this play on obvious passing downs like 2nd and long or 3rd and long when you need to attack a defense sitting in soft zone or when you have a size mismatch on the outside verticals.

Check the safety alignment pre snap: two high shells invite a shot at the seams or the deep outside verticals, while a single high safety means you should prioritize the HB angle route since the middle of the field is more crowded.

Hot route the HB angle to a flat or check release if you are facing a heavy blitz look, since the angle route naturally beats man coverage but can be late developing against a fast overload blitz.

Pair this play with HB Off Tackle or HB Draw earlier in a series to get linebackers flowing downhill, then come back to Verticals HB Angle to isolate the HB in space against a linebacker who is thinking run.

Sequence this play after Y Cross or Mesh Post Wheel so the defense has seen shallow crossing concepts, then hit them with verticals to keep the safeties from cheating underneath.

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