Playbooks
OAK Under
Breakdown
OAK Under is a play-action flood concept out of Shotgun Trey Open that overloads one side of the field with three vertical stems while the backside gets a quick swing outlet. Off the run fake, the boundary WR runs a corner route, the TE releases on a deep go up the seam, and the outside slot runs an out route underneath, stacking three defenders in a triangle read from deep to intermediate. On the backside, the RB runs a swing/HB screen for a built in checkdown, while the third yellow route breaks flat across the field as a shallow crosser to hold linebackers. This is a Cover 3 and Cover 2 beater designed to attack the flat and deep third with the corner route as the primary progression read, working down to the out route and finally the HB swing if the deep shots are covered.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high shells since this concept is built specifically to punish Cover 3 and Cover 2 rotations. Key the flat defender or cornerback: if he sinks with the corner route, the out route sits wide open underneath him. Watch for user controlled safeties lurking the deep third, since a disciplined user defender can rob the corner route and force you to the out or swing. Post snap, track linebacker depth on the play fake, aggressive run fits open up the shallow crosser and swing route for easy yards. Man coverage with press corners can disrupt the timing of the corner and go routes at the line, so check for man alignment and be ready to check to a quicker throw or the HB swing.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers before the play fake hits so the flood routes have time to develop against Cover 3 rotation.
Read the deep safety first: if he widens with the corner route, work the TE go route up the middle for a big play window.
Against Cover 2, target the out route sitting underneath the cornerback before the safety can rotate over the top of the corner route.
Use the HB swing as your answer versus zone blitzes or when the pass rush closes the pocket quickly, since it is a fast developing checkdown built off play action.
Pair this play with Curls X Go or Y Corner from the same set to keep the defense guessing between flood concepts and vertical shots, then dial back to OAK Under once you have seen how the safety reacts to play action.
