Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Slot Quick Flat out of Shotgun Trips TE lines up three receivers to the left with a single TE flexed right. The two inside trips receivers run vertical go routes up the numbers to clear space and occupy deep defenders, while the outside trips receiver runs a quick out to the flat. On the right side, the TE runs a quick out breaking to the flat while the outside WR runs a deep corner/go route to stretch the defense vertically. This is a quick game man and zone beater built around instant separation throws to the flat, with the primary read progression starting at the TE flat route, then working to the trips outside flat route if the TE is taken away, using the vertical clear outs to open up soft spots underneath against zone or create natural picks against man coverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch for cornerbacks pressed on the trips receivers pre snap, this often signals man coverage that the flat route combined with the go route clear outs can exploit through natural rub action. Check linebacker depth at the snap, shallow linebackers sitting in underneath zones can jump the TE flat route and blow up the primary read, so have the trips flat route ready as the checkdown. Look for safety rotation post snap, if both safeties bail deep into a two high shell it confirms zone coverage and the flat routes should be open in the short zones vacated by retreating linebackers. Be alert for a user controlled defender flying down from a robber or lurk technique in the shallow zone, this is the biggest threat to the flat route reads and can bait an interception if the quarterback stares down the primary target. Cover 3 with an aggressive slot corner blitzing off the edge can disrupt the timing of the trips side flat route, so identify overload blitz packages before the snap and be ready to check into a hot route or throw underneath quickly.
Usage Tips
Use this play on short to medium down and distance situations like 2nd and 4 or 3rd and 3 where the quick flat throws can move the chains without needing a deep shot. Pre snap, identify if the defense is showing man or zone by checking cornerback depth on the trips side, tight man coverage on the flat receivers signals a quick throw window before the defender can react. Hot route the inside trips receivers to sit down on shorter routes if you see a two high shell trying to sink underneath, this prevents them from running into coverage with no purpose. Pair this play with Verticals or PA Slot Corner from the same Trips TE set to keep defenses honest, once they start jumping the flat routes you can hit them over the top. Snap the ball quickly against blitz-heavy defenses since the flat routes develop fast and beat most nano blitz pressure before it arrives.
