Playbooks

Four Verticals

Shotgun·Trey Open HB Str·11

Deep Cross Crosser Option Route Streak Pass Play

Likely unavailable in the playbook builder

This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrey Open HB Str

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Four Verticals out of Trey Open HB Str sends four receivers vertically up the field, stretching the deep safeties horizontally while attacking every inch of the middle and boundary. This is a classic man beater because it forces defenders into foot races down the field, and it also punishes single high shells like Cover 1 and Cover 3 when the seam runners split the underneath zone drops. The blocking scheme keeps the HB in to protect against the edge rush, giving the QB a clean pocket to work through the progression: start with the deep seam route from the slot, then work to the outside vertical if the safety rotates over the top, and check down to the HB on the checkrelease if everything is covered deep.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high versus two high safety alignment before the snap since this determines which vertical route will be open. Against Cover 1 man, watch for the safety cheating to one side, that tells you which vertical route has a favorable one on one matchup down the field. Against Cover 3 zone, the deep middle defender is stretched thin, so the inside seam route from the slot will consistently win if the linebacker underneath does not get enough depth on his drop. Watch for user controlled safeties lurking in the middle of the field, a smart human defender will sit in the honey hole and jump the seam route, so be ready to work to the opposite vertical if you see the safety cheat late. Cover 2 shells with aggressive corners jumping the outside verticals can shut this play down quickly, if you see the corners sink deep and squeeze the sideline routes, check the ball down to the HB checkrelease instead of forcing a throw into double coverage.

Usage Tips

Use this play on obvious passing downs like 2nd and long or 3rd and 8 plus when you expect the defense to sit back in zone coverage. Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two safeties deep in a static Cover 2 shell, hot route one of the outside verticals into a deep out or comeback to punish the corner sitting on the route. Against Cover 3 look immediately to the seam runner in the middle of the field since the deep third defender has to widen for the outside verticals, creating a natural throwing lane. Pair this call with Deep Stick or RPO Alert Smoke earlier in the drive so the defense respects the quick game and bites on shorter routes, then hit them over the top with Four Verticals once they start crowding the line of scrimmage. If the defense shows Cover 0 or heavy blitz pressure pre snap, keep the HB in as a protector and take the shot to the fastest vertical threat before the pocket collapses.