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Breakdown
All Go HB Choice floods the field with four vertical releases and a choice route out of the backfield underneath. From Shotgun Wing Trips Wk Nasty, the three receivers to the trips side and the wing tight end all attack straight up the field on go routes, stacking the deep coverage and clearing space underneath, while the running back reads the leverage of the second level defender on a choice route that can break outside, inside, or stay flat. This is a man beater at its core, designed to win on double moves and leverage against off man or press, though the four verticals also stress single high safeties and can cap zone drops if the underneath defenders bite on the choice route. Primary progression starts with the HB choice against a blitzing or overcommitted linebacker, then works to the deep shots outside if you see a favorable one-on-one matchup on the go routes.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a single high safety pre-snap, which tells you the defense is likely in Cover 1 or Cover 3 and vulnerable to the four go routes if your receiver wins his release. Key the flow of the middle linebacker after the snap, if he sprints to the choice route or bites on run action, that opens a throwing lane for a vertical shot behind him. Look for user-controlled safeties rotating late to double the trips side, since that leaves the backside go route on a lone corner in single coverage. Against Cover 2 or Cover 4, the underneath defenders will sit and clog the choice route, so expect the corners to stay deep and squeeze the sideline throws, making this play tougher to execute against a two-high shell. Be alert for blitz packages that send extra rushers through the A or B gap, since the choice route becomes your answer against pressure but only if the RB can locate the soft spot before the pocket collapses.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or obvious pass downs when you expect man coverage or a blitz, since the choice route punishes linebackers who chase or vacate their zone. Pre-snap, identify if the defense shows Cover 1 or Cover 3 with a single high safety, this is your green light to test the deep go routes against isolated corners. If you see two deep safeties, check the HB choice route first since the underneath area will be softer against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells. Hot route the shallow drag defender into a hook or curl if you need extra protection against a delayed blitz, and consider sliding the RB protection if the offensive line count favors the defense. Pair this shot play with Stick or RPO Buck Alert Out earlier in a series to bait linebackers into sitting on shorter routes, then come back to All Go HB Choice to hit them over the top once they start jumping underneath throws.
