Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Jet Seams out of Shotgun Spread Y-Slot lines up two receivers to each side, with the outer receivers running quick corner routes to the flat and the inner slot receivers pushing vertical seams up the field. The TE releases from the backfield area on a seam as well, giving you a true four vertical look with a built in flat outlet on both edges for the quarterback to climb the pocket or throw off play action timing. This is a man beater first and foremost since the corner routes clear out space underneath while the dual seams stress any linebacker or safety trying to match up in man coverage, and the primary read progression starts with the seam to the field side before working back to the corner route or the backside seam.
Defensive Reads
Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sits shallow and does not carry the seam you have a big throwing window against zone coverage. Identify single high safety looks pre-snap, against cover 3 or cover 1 the seam routes will split the underneath zone defenders and give you a clean vertical shot down the middle. Key the corner route defender post-snap, if the flat defender jumps the corner route too aggressively that opens the seam behind him for an easy pitch and catch. This play struggles against cover 4 or cover 6 shells where safeties sit deep and match the seam runners step for step, in those situations look to check down or take the corner route underneath instead. Be wary of user controlled linebackers sitting in a lurk technique in the middle of the field, they will bait the quarterback into throwing the seam and jump the route for a pick if you telegraph the read.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties rotate your eyes to the seam that has the least amount of underneath help since one safety will have to widen for the corner route.
Use motion pre-snap to identify man versus zone, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you know you are getting man coverage and can lean into the seam routes with confidence.
Hot route the backside corner route into a hitch or flat if you are getting a hard cover 2 shell, this gives you a quick underneath answer against a two deep look.
Pair this play with Four Verticals and Post Flood Salem in your play calling sequence, running Jet Seams early forces linebackers to respect the seam window which opens up easier completions on the flood and post concepts later in the drive.
Best used on first and second down between the 20s where you have room to push the ball vertically, avoid calling this near the red zone since the compressed field takes away the deep seam passing lanes.
