Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Levels Sail is a trips-side flood concept out of Shotgun Trips TE Flex, 11 personnel. From the trips side, the outside receiver runs a deep sail route up the numbers, the middle receiver runs a corner breaking route stacked underneath it, and the inline slot runs a levels crosser that sits underneath both. On the backside, the single receiver runs a quick out at the sticks, and the TE releases vertically up the seam as a fourth option. This is a zone beater built to stretch Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells horizontally and vertically, with the primary read progressing from the deep sail route to the levels crosser underneath if the corner sits deep.
Defensive Reads
Watch the trips-side cornerback at the snap since a deep cushion means he is bailing into a zone drop and the sail route will pull him vertically. Key the flat defender or curl to flat zone player because if he widens with the sail route it opens a throwing lane for the levels crosser sitting underneath. Check the middle linebacker depth since a shallow drop signals zone coverage that the levels crosser can settle in behind for a comfortable completion. Look for a user lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field since this can jump the levels crosser route and force you to check down to the backside out. Against Cover 3, the deep third defender on the trips side is stressed by the sail route stacked with the corner route underneath, so identify which route he abandons and throw the other. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is vulnerable to the sail route beating a trailing cornerback, so use pre-snap motion to confirm man before pulling the trigger deep.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the safeties are showing two-high or single-high before the snap since this concept is built specifically to attack Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells.
If the cornerback on the trips side sinks with the sail route, immediately work down to the levels crosser sitting underneath for an easy pitch and catch.
Use the backside out route as a hot route answer versus pressure since it gets the ball out quick against man coverage looks.
Pair Levels Sail with Stick or TE In from this same set to keep linebackers honest on shorter zone drops before hitting the deep sail shot.
This play works best on second or third and medium since the levels crosser and sail combo need a little time to develop but reward patience against zone drops.
Combine with PA Crossers or Dagger in your play-calling sequence to disguise whether you are attacking underneath or going for the deep shot on the trips side.
