Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Sprint Spot is a boot action pass concept out of the Shotgun Trio HB Wk set that flows the offense to one side of the field with a sprint out design. The diagram shows two receivers pushing vertical routes up the sideline while a third receiver runs a short hitch or spot route underneath, sitting near the sticks as the quarterback rolls toward that side. This is a classic Cover 3 beater that attacks the flat and deep third simultaneously, forcing the flat defender to choose between the underneath spot route and the two receivers stacking the sideline behind him. The primary read progression starts with the spot route underneath, then works up to the vertical routes if the flat defender squats or the safety rotates away.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety shells before the snap, Cover 3 with a rolled safety to the play side is the primary coverage this concept is designed to shred. Watch the flat defender or curl to flat player at the snap, if he sinks with the vertical routes the spot route will be open underneath for an easy completion. User the deep third defender to the sprint side and force him to choose between the two vertical threats, this eliminates the deep shot and turns the play into a checkdown situation. Beware of Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties, since the extra deep defender can help bracket the vertical routes and shrink the throwing window for the spot route. Watch for a delayed blitz or contain rusher crashing down on the sprint side, this is the primary way to disrupt the timing of the boot action and force an errant throw.
Usage Tips
Use Sprint Spot on third and short to third and medium situations where the spot route can pick up the sticks quickly against zone coverage.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see a single high safety rolled to the sprint side, expect Cover 3 and trust the spot route to sit in the void underneath the deep coverage.
Roll the pocket away from pressure by calling this into the boundary if you anticipate an edge blitz off the backside, since the sprint action naturally moves the quarterback away from unblocked rushers.
Pair this play with Sprint Rub Flat and Sprint Smash in your play-calling sequence, these all sell the same sprint out action but attack different levels, keeping the defense guessing on whether to jump the flat or drop deep.
Against man coverage, look immediately to the deep outside receiver on the vertical route since the sprint action creates natural separation against trailing corners who have to run with the rollout.
