Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Verticals out of Shotgun Trips TE Flex sends four receivers vertical with the backside X running a straight go route while the trips side stacks a seam, a deep out and up route, and an in and up combo from the flex TE, and the HB releases on a wheel route out of the backfield. This is a classic four verts shot play built to attack Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells by stretching the deep zones vertically and horizontally. The primary read progression starts with the seam route against the middle of the field, then works to the outside go route if the safety cheats inside, with the HB wheel as a check down or matchup exploit against a linebacker.
Defensive Reads
Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sinks deep into the seam he is taking away your first read and you need to progress outside. Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap since this play is built to exploit both Cover 2 and Cover 3 by overloading the vertical zones. Key the cornerback on the backside X route, if he presses and has no safety help over the top that go route is a lurking user threat but also a big play window against zone drops. Watch for a delayed blitz off the edge since the HB wheel release can be affected by contain pressure. If the defense shows Cover 4 or Cover 6 with two deep safeties matched to the trips side, expect the seam and out-and-up to be taken away and lean on the flex TE crosser or HB wheel instead.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see two high safeties sitting deep this play is designed to split them with the seam and out-and-up combo. Use motion or a hard count to bait the linebackers into showing blitz or man coverage before the snap. Hot route the flex TE into a deep in-cut if you see a robber or Cover 4 shell sitting on the seams. Pair this play with HB Draw or Inside Zone in your play-calling sequence to keep defenses honest on early downs before hitting them with verticals on a play-action look. Best called on second or third and long when defenses are more likely to sit in soft zone shells expecting a shorter route concept.
