Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 17 playbooks
Breakdown
Corner Stops is a Singleback Deuce Close 12 personnel pass concept that sends both attached tight ends vertical up the seam before snapping their routes back outside into corner stops around 10-12 yards, giving the quarterback two high sideline windows to work with. The backside outlet runs a shallow drag across the formation while the running back releases up the middle on a check release or seam read, giving the QB a quick underneath option if the corners are jumped by defenders. This is a zone beater at heart, since the stop-and-turn nature of the corner routes settles into soft spots against Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone drops, with the primary read progression starting at the field-side corner stop, working to the boundary corner stop, and checking down to the drag or the backside outlet if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Presnap, identify if the corners are playing off with outside leverage, since that alignment invites the stop route to sit down in front of them for an easy pitch and catch. Watch the safeties rotate after the snap. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells leave natural voids at the top of the corner stops that the offense is designed to exploit. User the flat or curl-to-flat defender on either side to jump the stop route as soon as the tight end plants, since this route requires the defender to close space quickly rather than sit and read. Man coverage with press corners takes away the leverage the corner stop route relies on, forcing the quarterback to check down to the drag or the backside outlet. Watch for late-developing zone blitzes, since the corner stop routes take time to develop and a delayed pressure package can force an early checkdown before either read is fully open.
Usage Tips
Look presnap for two deep safeties or a single high safety to determine if the corner stops will have soft grass to settle into against zone drops.
Use the fastest tight end or better route runner on the side of the field you plan to work first in your progression, since the corner stop route demands separation at the top for a clean throw.
Hot route the backside outlet into a deeper crossing route or drag if you are getting man coverage looks, since the design naturally favors zone but a quick adjustment turns it into a solid man beater too.
This play works well on second and medium to second and long, where the sideline stops give you a high percentage completion without needing to threaten deep.
Pair Corner Stops with PA Boot Corner Post or PA X Deep Out from this same Deuce Close set to keep the defense guessing between the boot action deep shots and this quick-hitting zone beater.
