Playbooks
Quick Reference
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Breakdown
RNS Georgia Mesh out of Shotgun Trips shows a classic mesh concept with the two inside trips receivers crossing at a shallow depth underneath, one working left to right and the other right to left to create natural traffic against man defenders. The backside X on the left runs a vertical seam/streak read on the red route, giving a triangle stretch from shallow crossers to a deep outlet. This is a man beater built around pick and rub action, and the primary read progression starts with the shallow mesh crossers, then works to the backside vertical if the mesh is covered or if a defender or safety cheats down to take away the shallow routes.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and leverage on the trips side since single high shells with man coverage underneath are most vulnerable to the mesh crossers picking off defenders. Watch for a linebacker or nickel defender sitting in a shallow zone drop, as this can clog the mesh crossing lanes and force the quarterback to hold the ball longer. Post-snap, key on any user-controlled defender lurking in the shallow middle zone, since that defender can jump the mesh crossers if the quarterback telegraphs the throw. Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with linebackers sitting at the mesh depth can take away the shallow crossers, forcing the read to the backside vertical route. If the defense shows a two high shell with corners playing off, expect the backside vertical to get squeezed, so prioritize the mesh crossers underneath instead.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing man coverage with tight press alignment on the trips side, since the mesh crossers thrive against man due to the natural pick action created by the crossing routes.
If you see a single high safety with linebackers sitting shallow, hot route one of the crossers into a deeper option or check to the backside vertical route earlier in your progression.
Use this play on second and medium to third and medium situations where the mesh routes can pick up the sticks against man or banjo coverage.
Pair this with RNS Georgia (the base version without mesh) and Slant Spacing to keep defenses guessing between quick game and the delayed mesh crossers.
Against aggressive user blitzers, get the ball out fast to the shallow crosser away from the blitz side since the mesh action naturally creates separation against trailing defenders.
