Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Dbl Comeback out of Shotgun Trips HB Wk lines up three receivers to the boundary with the HB releasing into the flat as a check down option. Both the outside trips receiver and the lone backside receiver break off comeback routes at depth, snapping back toward the sideline to sit in front of trailing corners, while the inner slot receiver clears underneath on a shallow drag to hold linebackers and open up the comeback windows. This is a man beater at its core, since the comeback breaks create instant separation against off man corners and the double comeback shape stresses cornerback leverage on both sides of the field, with the primary read starting on the boundary comeback before working back to the field side comeback and finally checking down to the HB in the flat.
Defensive Reads
Identify press man versus off man pre-snap since off man corners give up the cushion this play is designed to exploit. Watch corner backpedal depth after the snap, if the corner sits and reads the quarterback instead of turning his hips, the comeback window closes fast. Look for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone who can undercut the comeback break on either the trips side or backside receiver. Cover 3 zone defenders who carry receivers vertically before settling can bait the quarterback into throwing the comeback into a closing window, so watch for late-arriving zone corners. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge force a quicker read, so check whether the HB stays in to block or releases into the flat as a hot read option.
Usage Tips
Attack off man coverage and soft press corners since the comeback breaks create separation right as the corner opens his hips.
Use pre-snap motion or a hot route on the drag route if you see a linebacker sitting in the shallow zone to clear a passing lane for the comebacks.
This play shines on second and long or third and medium, since the comeback route depth typically sits around 12 to 15 yards.
Pair Dbl Comeback with Four Verticals or Zona Fade from this set so defenses cannot sit on the comeback break and jump the route with zone drops.
If you see press corners with a deep safety shell, check to Quick Slants or Stick from this playbook set instead since comebacks need cushion to be effective.
