Playbooks
Divide
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Divide is a play-action flood concept out of Singleback Bunch Ace that stresses the defense both vertically and horizontally on one side of the field. Off the play-action fake, the backside receiver runs a deep go up the sideline while the bunch releases into a wheel, an out, and a drag that stack the underneath and intermediate levels, and the running back bails out to the opposite flat as the outlet. The primary read starts with the vertical go against a single-high safety, then works down to the out and drag as zone defenders flow with the play-action fake, making this a strong cover 3 and cover 2 beater.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense shows two deep safeties, since that indicates cover 2 or cover 4 and forces the QB to work the flat and drag rather than the go. Watch the flow of the linebackers after the play-action fake, if they bite hard on the run action the drag and out routes will come open immediately underneath. User the deep half defender to the bunch side if playing cover 2, since he must carry the go route while also respecting the wheel route working up the sideline behind him. Look for a cornerback rolling down to jam the out or drag route pre-snap, which signals man coverage or a possible nano blitz look, in which case the wheel is your escape valve. Watch for a lurking linebacker or safety sitting in the shallow zone underneath the bunch, since he can jump the drag or out route and bait an interception if the QB stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see a single high safety cheating toward the bunch side, take the shot on the go route immediately off the play-action fake.
Use the drag route as your quick answer versus man coverage since it clears underneath and gives you a built in rhythm throw if the safety erases the go route.
The wheel route out of the bunch is a great answer against man coverage or when a linebacker widens late, so key linebacker depth at the snap to see if the wheel is uncovered.
Run this on early downs or in play-action heavy sequences after establishing HB Zone Wk or Duo, since the run fake from Bunch Ace sets up defenders to bite on the flow and opens the flood routes.
Pair Divide with Z Spot or Drive TE Corner in your play-calling sequence to keep defenders guessing between quick game and shot plays out of the same bunch look.
