Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Drive Switch out of Shotgun Tight Slots is a switch-release passing concept designed to beat man coverage with natural rubs and give you a full field zone stretch. The outside receiver runs a deep vertical up the numbers while the inside slot receiver crosses under him and climbs to a deep dig/drive route breaking across the middle, creating a mesh point that forces defenders to fight through traffic. On the backside, the receiver runs a corner route up the sideline while the running back releases into the flat, giving you a five man route concept with three levels attacking the field. Primary progression starts with the drive route working across the middle, then bounces to the backside corner if the underneath defenders squeeze the crosser, with the flat route as your check down against a blitz.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high safety looks since this concept thrives against man coverage and Cover 1 because of the switch release rub at the top of the formation. Watch for corners playing off coverage versus press, since press man makes the switch release rub more effective by disrupting the jam timing on the drive route. Post-snap, track the middle linebacker and any user controlled lurk defender sitting in the passing lane of the drive route, since a good user will rob that crossing route immediately. Against Cover 4 or quarters shells, the deep corner route can get carried by a deep quarter defender, so check if the safety rotates over the top before pulling the trigger on that throw. If the defense shows a two high shell that rotates down into Cover 6 or Cover 2, expect the flat route defender to squat on the running back's release, making the drive route or backside corner your priority reads instead.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap like press corners or a single high safety rotating late, since the switch release at the top of the route concept is designed to rub off man defenders and spring the drive route open.
Use your right stick to send the drive route in motion pre-snap against zone heavy defenses to confirm man versus zone before the snap.
If you see Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, hot route the flat route to a shallow drag or use the flat as an outlet since the drive route can get squeezed by underneath zone defenders sitting in the hook areas.
Pair this play with Drive Trail or Mesh Switch in your call sheet to keep defenders guessing between crossing concepts, then mix in HB Draw or Inside Zone from the same formation to keep linebackers honest and slow down their zone drops.
This play works best on second or third and medium since it takes a full route progression to develop, so give yourself enough time in the pocket by using max protect if you are facing consistent pressure looks.
