Playbooks
X Follow
Quick Reference
Breakdown
X Follow out of Shotgun Spread 10 personnel shows a play-action mesh concept with a shallow drag/follow combo underneath and three verticals stretching the defense downfield. The X runs a shallow drag under the mesh point while another receiver runs a follow drag right behind him, creating a natural rub against man coverage, and the two outside receivers push vertical Go/Streak routes with a deep cross tucked in between them. The backfield fake holds linebackers for a beat, and the primary read starts with the shallow follow mesh underneath before working up to the deep cross and verticals if the shallow routes are covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch for user-controlled linebackers crashing the mesh point, they will try to jump the shallow drag and follow routes, so have a hot route ready to convert the follow into a flat or seam if you see this pre-snap. Man coverage with press corners is where this play thrives since the mesh rub forces picks that defenders in man cannot easily fight through. Cover 3 with a hard-flowing flat defender can undercut the shallow drag, so key the flat defender's first two steps after the snap to decide whether to stay underneath or go to the deep cross. Two-high safety shells that stay deep and disciplined will limit the verticals, forcing you to live on the mesh and follow combo for manageable gains. If you see a Bear front or heavy blitz look pre-snap, expect the play-action fake to be exposed quickly, so be ready to check to a quick game concept or throw the shallow drag as a hot route outlet.
Usage Tips
Use this play against man coverage looks since the follow mesh creates natural traffic and rub separation for the shallow crossers.
Take a pre-snap glance at the safeties: if you see two high safeties sitting deep, prioritize the mesh underneath since the verticals will take longer to develop.
Hot route the outside Go routes into deep comebacks or hitches if you see a Cover 3 shell rolling hard to the field side, turning this into a Cover 3 beater on the perimeter.
Pair this call with 45 Quick Base or Quick Slants earlier in a series to bait linebackers into sitting on shallow routes, then hit the deep cross for an explosive play once they cheat up.
Best used on second and medium or third and short/medium where the play-action hold and mesh rub have time to develop against aggressive man defenders.
