Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
TE Corner is a trips formation route concept out of Shotgun 11 personnel that isolates the TE on a corner route from the backside, while the trips side floods the zone with two deep outs and a quick check release out of the backfield. The three receivers on the trips side stem vertically before breaking outward to the sideline at different depths, creating a natural high low read against zone coverage, while the running back releases out of the backfield on a delayed flat route to hold underneath defenders. This is primarily a zone beater built to stress cornerbacks and safeties on the boundary, with the TE corner route serving as the primary read against single high or man coverage looking to attack the void behind the corner.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment, because a two high shell signals the corner route will have a defender sitting on top, while a single high safety opens the deep outside third for the TE. Watch the flat defender or curl to flat linebacker after the snap, since if he sinks with the corner route the underneath check release from the running back is wide open for an easy conversion. Man coverage with no help over the top is the biggest exposure for this play, since the TE corner route can simply run away from a trailing linebacker or safety in man. Cover 3 with a fast flowing cornerback can undercut the corner route if he reads the quarterback's eyes early, so look for a user controlled corner sinking into the throwing lane as a lurk threat. Blitz packages that bring five or six rushers can disrupt timing before the corner route develops, so recognize pre-snap blitz indicators like linebackers creeping toward the line or a safety cheating down into the box.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and medium when you expect zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, since the corner route and staggered outs stretch the zone horizontally and vertically.
Pre-snap, identify whether the corner is playing off or pressing the trips receivers, because a soft corner alignment signals space for the intermediate out route to sit down in front of the zone drop.
If you see man coverage or a single high safety rotate late, hot route the running back into a wheel or seam to attack the vacated flat since the TE corner route becomes tougher to fit against a trailing defender.
Pair this play with Curl Flat or Slants from the same set to keep the defense honest on quick game before hitting them with the deeper corner shot on TE Corner.
Watch the play clock and call this on early downs in scoring range since the corner route into the boundary is a low risk explosive shot against zone drops that overcommit underneath.
