Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Hitch Seam out of Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex Wk lines up two receivers to each side with the HB staying in as a check release blocker. Both outside receivers run vertical seams up the numbers while the two inside receivers settle into quick hitches at the sticks, giving the quarterback an easy high low read between the short hitch and the deep seam on the same side. This is a zone beater at its core, since the hitch sits down in front of underneath zone defenders while the seam threatens the void between the flat and deep third or deep half defender, though it also holds up against man coverage if the seam runners can create vertical separation. Primary progression starts with the seam route to whichever side shows single high or a rotated safety, then works down to the hitch underneath if the seam is capped.
Defensive Reads
Watch for two deep safeties presnap, this tells you the defense is likely in a zone shell that will try to squeeze the seam routes and force you to live underneath with the hitches. A single high safety presnap means the defense is vulnerable to the seam attacking the alley between the corner and safety, especially against Cover 3 or Cover 1. Key the linebackers at the snap, if they sink into hook zones and wall off the seam route you need to check down to the hitch immediately before the window closes. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field are the biggest threat to this concept since they can jump the seam route or the hitch depending on where the ball carrier is looking, so look them off with your eyes before committing to a throw. Man coverage with no safety help over the top on the seam side is where this play wins big, but if you see press man with a deep half safety rotated to that side the throw window on the seam shrinks fast and you should climb the ladder to the hitch instead.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties bail into a shell the hitch becomes your quicker answer since the seams will get squeezed by the safety rotating over the top. Use the seam route as a coverage diagnostic, if a linebacker or nickel corner runs with it vertically without help you are looking at man coverage and should stick with the deep read. Keep the HB in to block on third and long since there is no dedicated screen or check down built into this concept, or hot route the HB out on a flare if you need an extra outlet against a heavy blitz look. This play pairs well with Four Verticals in the same set, since defenses that jump the hitch routes after seeing this on tape will get burned deep when you call Four Verticals from the same personnel and formation. Best used on second or third and medium situations where the hitch sit route can move the chains quickly while still holding the deep seam threat as a home run shot.
