Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
TE In out of Shotgun Trips TE Flex sends the three receiving X targets on vertical stems while the flexed TE runs a shallow in route that crosses the field underneath the linebackers, and the backside X on the line runs a deep crosser opposite the trips side to hold the far safety. This is a man beater first, since the TE In creates immediate separation against linebackers or slower nickel defenders in man coverage, but it also functions as a zone beater by settling the TE in the soft spot behind the second level and in front of any zone drop. Primary read progression starts with the TE In on the shallow crosser, then works to the deep crossing route if a linebacker sits underneath, and finally to the trips side verticals if the defense rolls coverage away from the crossers.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a linebacker spying the middle of the field, since the TE In route is designed to sit right in that vacated area once he commits to either side. If the defense shows Cover 3 with a static middle linebacker, expect the deep crosser and trips verticals to be the bigger threat instead of the shallow TE In. Man coverage indicators such as tight cornerback alignment on the trips receivers and a linebacker shaded over the TE signal that this play should win quickly underneath before a blitz arrives. Post snap, track any user controlled defender flowing toward the shallow crosser lane, since a lurking safety or spying linebacker can jump the TE In route if the quarterback holds the ball too long. Zone drops that widen with the trips side create a natural throwing lane for the TE In, so identify whether the defense is rotating away from the ball or staying balanced before committing to the throw.
Usage Tips
Check the pre snap alignment of the middle linebacker since the TE In route attacks the vacated hook zone if he blitzes or widens with a trips receiver.
Use motion or a hot route on the flexed TE to adjust his in route depth if you see man coverage from a slower linebacker, since a quicker in route wins faster against tight coverage.
This play works best on second and medium or third and short because the TE In gets to the sticks quickly and picks up easy yards after the catch against zone.
Pair this play with Levels Sail or Dagger from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick underneath crossers and deeper shot plays off similar route stems.
If the defense shows two deep safeties pre snap, prioritize the TE In and the deep crosser combo since those routes attack the intermediate void created by split safety shells.
Against zone heavy defenses, let the play develop a beat longer so the TE In can settle into the throwing lane before the underneath defenders can close.
