Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
22 Z In is a trips-based passing concept out of Shotgun Y Off Trips Wk that isolates a deep post against a backside vertical stem. The backside X runs a straight vertical clear-out route while the trips side stacks a shallow drag underneath a wheel/corner combo from the slot, and the Y (TE) works a quick out breaking away from the formation. The primary read starts with the deep post/vertical shot on the backside if the safety bites down on the underneath routes, then progresses to the shallow in-cut crosser working across the field as the checkdown against zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Key the backside cornerback at the snap, if he turns and runs without safety help over the top the vertical route is live for a big play. Watch the flow of the linebackers underneath, if they widen with the shallow crosser it opens a passing window behind them for the intermediate in-cut. Identify two-high shells pre-snap since split safeties can rob the deep vertical route and force the quarterback into the underneath progression. Man coverage on the slot receiver is vulnerable to the wheel or corner breakoff, so user defenders need to stay disciplined and not bite on the initial stem. Disguised blitzes with late linebacker drops can jump the shallow crosser, so the quarterback must feel pressure timing and be ready to reset to the backside vertical.
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety shells pre-snap since the backside vertical route can win over the top if the corner presses without deep help.
Use the shallow crosser as your rhythm throw against zone coverage when the underneath defenders sit on the flat or curl areas.
Motion the trips receiver pre-snap to confirm man versus zone by watching if a defender follows across the formation.
Pair this play with Dig Cross or Curls Combo in your play-calling sequence to keep defenders guessing between deep shots and intermediate crossers.
Best used on second or third and medium when you need a defense to respect both the vertical shot and the underneath breaking route in the same concept.
