Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Return X Choice Special comes out of Shotgun Trips Slots Close with a pre-snap motion that shifts the backside receiver into a vertical release, giving the offense a clean three-level stretch to the trips side. The outside trips receiver runs a deep vertical seam, the inside slot works an option choice route breaking outside off the stick, and the tight end or nearest slot runs a shallow drag across the formation underneath the choice route. The primary read starts with the vertical seam against single high safeties, then works down to the choice route for a man beater conversion, and finally to the underneath drag as a zone beater checkdown if the coverage collapses deep.
Defensive Reads
Read the free safety depth before the snap, if he is shaded to the trips side and playing deep middle, the choice route conversion becomes the better answer than forcing the seam. Watch the motion defender closely, a defender who mirrors the motion across the formation confirms man coverage and opens up the choice route as a high percentage win. If the defense shows two high safeties post snap, expect the seam to be capped and prioritize the choice route or the underneath drag instead. Key on the flow of the linebackers to the shallow drag route, if they widen out to cover it, throwing lanes open up for the choice route behind them. This concept is vulnerable to a robber or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, so if you see a defender sinking into that throwing window, come off the seam and choice progression and dump to the checkdown.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows across the formation you have a strong indicator of man coverage and should prioritize the choice route breakout.
Against single high safety looks, take a shot on the vertical seam route immediately since the play is designed to stress the deep middle with the trips concept.
Hot route the shallow drag into a spot or hitch if you are facing heavy underneath zone coverage with linebackers sitting in passing lanes.
Pair this play with 61 X Choice or RNS Georgia Mesh earlier in a drive so the defense respects the shallow crosser, then hit the vertical seam on Return X Choice Special once safeties start cheating down.
Best used on second or third and medium when you need a explosive play but still have a safety valve underneath if the deep options are covered.
