Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RNS Rip 61 Choice is a pass play out of Shotgun Spread Slots Close with a 10 personnel grouping (four wide, no backs). At the snap the backside X runs a deep vertical up the numbers, the outside slot on the play side climbs a vertical seam, and the inside receiver runs a deep crossing route from the play side all the way across the field, working underneath the vertical and giving a two level stretch on that half of the field. There is no visible run action or lead blocking shown in the diagram, confirming this is a straight drop back pass concept built to attack man coverage with the crosser as the primary read and the two verticals serving as clear out and secondary options.
Defensive Reads
As the defense, key the receiver aligned in the play side slot before the snap, since his vertical seam is the first route to declare and tells you if the quarterback is working play side or backside. Watch for a linebacker or nickel defender sitting in a hook zone drop, because if he sinks too deep the deep crosser will run right underneath him for an easy completion. If you are in man coverage, your crossing route defender needs to trail tight and use his hands to disrupt timing, since any separation on that route leads to a big gain across the middle. Bring a delayed blitz or spy off the edge to disrupt the quarterback's rhythm, since the deep cross takes time to develop and a fast interior pressure will force an early or inaccurate throw. Two deep safeties who stay disciplined and do not bite on the play side vertical will shut down the explosive play potential and force the quarterback into a checkdown or scramble.
Usage Tips
Presnap, identify if the defense is showing man coverage by checking for a single high safety with corners aligned tight to the slot receivers, since that alignment lets the deep crosser work free across the field. Your first read is the deep cross, track it from the play side all the way to the backside since it is designed to beat man leverage and pick up big chunks over the middle. If you see two high safeties or a clear zone shell, look immediately to the play side vertical seam route since it can sit down in the window between the flat defender and the deep half safety. Use hot routes to convert the backside vertical into a shorter option route if you are getting heavy pressure looks, since this gives you a quicker outlet against blitz packages. Pair this play with RNS 60 Z Read or RNS Y Stick earlier in a series so the defense has to respect quick game before you hit them with the deep crosser on this call, and save it for second and long or third and medium situations where you have time to let the crosser develop.
