Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Levels Switch out of Shotgun Trey Open Offset is a classic zone beating pass concept built on a switch release from the trips side. The two inside receivers cross paths at the snap, with one working an intermediate in breaking route sitting at the linebacker level and the other continuing to a deep dig that stacks on top of it, creating a natural two level read on the same third of the field. The backside X runs a deep comeback to hold the corner, the TE from the trips bunch releases outside on a shallow drag/flat route, and the RB checks release before leaking out to the flat, giving the quarterback a full field, high low progression from the levels combo to the checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Key the flat defender and the underneath hook defender first, since the shallow in breaking route from the switch release is the first read and will be open if either defender widens too early. Watch the deep half safeties in Cover 2, if they stay flat footed on the snap the deep dig from the switch will split the safeties for an explosive gain. If the defense shows Cover 3 with a single high safety, look for the corner to carry the deep dig, if he sinks to help the levels concept becomes vulnerable to the comeback on the backside. Man coverage with no help over the top shuts this down quickly, since the switch release can get picked up by a physical corner who does not lose leverage in the rub, so avoid this call against known man heavy blitz packages. Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, since the levels combo is designed to work over the middle and a spy or rat defender can jump the underneath in breaking route.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the corner over the trips side is playing off or press, since the switch release is designed to create natural picks against zone defenders sitting in their landmarks.
This play is a premier Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater because the levels concept sits both defenders in the deep half or deep third in conflict between the shallow in and the deep dig.
Hot route the RB into a wheel route or protection stay if you see a heavy blitz look, since the naked leak to the flat can get erased by an overload pressure package.
Pair this with Y Cross Flood or Strong Flood earlier in a drive so the defense respects the flood concept, then come back to Levels Switch to attack the same side vertically once safeties start jumping underneath routes.
Use this on second and medium to second and long, since the deep dig takes time to develop and you want enough room for the sit route underneath to move the sticks if the dig is not open.
