Playbooks
Redzone Up
Breakdown
Redzone Up is a play-action flood concept out of Shotgun Trey Open Offset that attacks the width and levels of the field. From the trips side, the outside receiver takes the top off with a go route while the middle receiver runs an out breaking toward the sideline, and the inside slot works a short hitch to hold underneath defenders. The lone receiver to the weak side runs a deep crossing route off play-action, giving the quarterback a true flood read from deep to short: go, then out, then hitch, while the crosser serves as a backside answer against man coverage or a leaking zone defender.
Defensive Reads
Identify the deep safety alignment before the snap, since a two high shell suggests the underneath out and hitch will be open while a single high shell means the crosser or go route is the priority beater. Watch the flat defender and curl to flat defender on the trips side, since they must choose between the hitch and the out route, creating a natural conflict in zone coverage. Track the cornerback leverage on the outside go route, since inside leverage or press technique invites a quick throw before the double move fully develops. Look for user controlled defenders sitting in the shallow crossing lane, since a rat in the hole or a spy can undercut the backside crosser and force a check down. Recognize blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the quick hitch and out routes serve as built in hot route answers against pressure.
Usage Tips
Use this near the goal line or in other tight red zone situations where the vertical stem on the go route can pin a corner against the end line.
Key the pre-snap safety shell first: if you see two deep safeties, work the out and hitch combo since the go route is more likely to be capped.
Against single high or man coverage, ride the go route on the trips side or check to the backside crosser if the cornerback presses off leverage.
Hot route the flat or hitch receiver into a quicker breaking route if the offense faces a nano blitz or overload pressure look from the trips side.
Pair this with Y Corner KO or Redzone Post Fade in the same set to keep defenses honest, since both plays start with similar formation and route stems before breaking differently near the goal line.
