Playbooks

Deep Attack

Shotgun·Spread Flex·11
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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Spread Classic

Breakdown

Deep Attack is a vertical shot play out of the Shotgun Spread Flex 11 personnel look, designed to stretch the field with multiple receivers pushing downfield at different depths. This is a man beater at its core, using deep routes to isolate cornerbacks in one-on-one situations while a shorter outlet route underneath serves as a checkdown against soft zone shells. The primary read progression starts with the deep outside route to see if your receiver has separated from man coverage, then works to the intermediate crosser before checking down if the initial reads are covered.

Defensive Reads

Watch for cornerbacks in press alignment pre-snap, this often signals man coverage and tells you the deep route has a clean one-on-one matchup to attack. Identify two high safeties before the snap, this usually means Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell, which forces you to check down or attack the intermediate window instead of forcing a deep throw into coverage. Post-snap, key on the safety rotation, if a single safety rotates to the deep middle late, that usually means the defense is disguising a Cover 3 or Cover 1 look that can be exploited by receivers breaking away from the deep middle defender. Look for a user-controlled defender lurking underneath, this is a common tactic to jump the intermediate crosser, so be ready to reset your read to the deep outside route if you see this happen. Beware of a delayed blitz off the edge, since deep routes take time to develop, a well-timed blitz can force you into a bad decision, so know your protection and be ready to throw off platform or scramble if the pocket collapses quickly.

Usage Tips

Diagnose the coverage shell pre-snap by checking safety depth, if you see two high safeties sitting deep, expect zone coverage and look to attack the seams and intermediate areas instead of forcing the deep ball.

Use motion or a hot route on the underneath receiver to create a natural rub against man coverage, this helps your deep threat get a clean release off the line.

Save this play for second and long or third and long situations where the defense is more likely to sit in nickel or dime packages that can be exploited vertically.

Pair Deep Attack with Y Stick or Quick Slants earlier in a drive to condition the defense to expect short, quick throws, then hit them with the double move potential of Deep Attack once cornerbacks start jumping routes.

If you see man coverage pre-snap, trust your deep route win against off coverage or press, but be ready to climb the pocket and extend the play against a delayed blitz.

Other Plays in Spread Flex