Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RNS Hitches is a trips-based quick passing concept out of Shotgun Trips with a 10 personnel grouping. The backside X runs a vertical release straight up the field as a lone isolation route against man coverage, while the trips side stacks hitch routes at varying depths with the outside receiver breaking underneath on a shallow crossing hitch. There is no run action or screen element shown, this is a pure timing based dropback passer with the QB reading the trips side hitches first before working back to the backside vertical if the corner presses or the safety rotates away from the isolation route.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender and hook defenders pre-snap, since sitting linebackers in the shallow zone can jump the underneath hitch and bait a turnover. Key the backside cornerback alignment on the X receiver, tight man press invites a rub or jam that disrupts the vertical release. Post-snap, track any user controlled defender lurking in the shallow hitch area, since that is the first route the offense wants to hit and the easiest to jump with a spy or robber technique. Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone shells with sound underneath defenders shut this down by taking away the hitch windows and forcing the QB to hold the ball. Man coverage without safety help over the top of the backside vertical is the biggest vulnerability, so rotate a deep defender to that side if you suspect this concept.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing single high or two high safeties, since hitches settle into soft spots against zone drops but need separation timing against man press.
Use the backside X vertical as a built in answer versus aggressive man corners who bail late, since a blown coverage or missed jam turns into an explosive play.
Hot route the inside trips receiver to a quick out or spot if you see a linebacker sitting in the shallow hook zone, since that clears the throwing lane for the shallow crossing hitch.
Pair this play with RNS Streak X Shallow or RNS Georgia to keep the defense guessing between vertical shots and quick game from the same trips look.
Best used on second and short or third and short since the hitches settle at a depth that consistently converts manageable yardage against soft zone shells.
