Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
X Follow lines up in Singleback Ace with 12 personnel and shows a five man route concept off play action. The X receiver runs a deep out from the backside while the flanker on that side clears vertically on a go route, the TE to the play side runs a deep cross underneath, the other TE releases into the flat, and the backside receiver on the right runs a quick out and up move. This is a flood and man beater built to stress cover 3 and other zone shells, with the deep cross as the primary read against man coverage and the flat or out routes serving as quick outlets versus zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Read the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he bites hard on the run fake the deep cross will have a wide throwing lane behind him. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the underneath zone near the crossing route, that lurk threat can jump the throw if you telegraph it. Against cover 3, the flat route and deep out combo on the backside creates a natural flood that overloads the cornerback and outside linebacker. If the defense shows man coverage with no safety help over the top, the vertical go route can pull the corner deep and open space underneath for the flat. Be wary of a nano blitz up front since the play action fake holds blockers in place, get the ball out quickly if extra pass rushers are disguised pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or second and medium when you want a play action shot without giving up run integrity. Check the deep safety alignment pre-snap, if you see a single high safety expect cover 3 and target the deep cross sitting behind the linebackers. If corners are playing tight man across from the X and flanker, work the flat route and out route combo for a quicker, safer completion. Hot route the backside out receiver into a deeper comeback if you are facing a soft cover 2 shell to create more separation. Pair this play with PA Post Dig or PA Post Cross Shot in your play calling script so defenses cannot sit on the deep cross every snap.
