Playbooks

All Hitch

Shotgun·Spread Y-Flex·11
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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffenseSpread Classic

Breakdown

All Hitch is a five man hitch concept out of the Shotgun Spread Y-Flex 11 personnel set, designed to attack zone coverage with quick, high percentage throws underneath. Every eligible receiver breaks down at roughly five to six yards and settles, giving the quarterback a full horizontal progression to work from the boundary to the field side. This is primarily a zone beater since the hitches sit down in soft spots between zone defenders, but it can also work against off man coverage where cornerbacks are playing a cushion. The primary read progression starts with the pre-snap leverage read, then works to whichever hitch has the most grass in front of it, typically the outside receivers against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check safety depth, two high safeties with soft corners is a green light since it signals zone coverage and open throwing lanes underneath. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they sink hard into passing lanes on the hitch routes it likely means the defense is sitting in Cover 3 with underneath defenders keying the quarterback's eyes. Beware user controlled defenders lurking near the intermediate hitch depth, since a smart human defender can jump the route and take it to the house if you stare down a single receiver. This play struggles against press man coverage and Cover 0 blitz packages, since the hitch routes have no built in separation and the quarterback has no time to let routes develop if the protection breaks down. Look for corners playing hard outside leverage pre-snap, that alignment often signals Cover 4 or Cover 6 and tells you to prioritize the inside hitch routes over the boundary throws.

Usage Tips

Use All Hitch on third and short or medium distance situations where the sit down routes can convert quickly and safely.

Identify the coverage shell pre-snap, if you see two deep safeties and soft corners, target the outside hitch routes immediately off the snap.

Hot route one of the inside hitch routes into a quick out or speed out if you diagnose Cover 2 to create a natural pick against the flat defender.

Pair this play with Double Slants or RPO Peek Slant in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the sit down hitch and the quick slant window, forcing linebackers to hesitate.

Against man coverage, use All Hitch sparingly and instead lean on Y Stick or Mesh from this same set since the hitch routes lack natural separation against tight man technique.

If you see Cover 3 buzz or a robber look, throw the boundary hitch quickly before the underneath zone defenders can sink and undercut the route.

Other Plays in Spread Y-Flex