Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Deep Attack lines up out of Singleback Doubles with 11 personnel and sends a true four verticals style shot downfield. Both outside receivers run go routes up the numbers, the slot receiver from the bunch side runs a post that breaks inside toward the middle of the field, and the running back releases out of the backfield on a shallow crossing route to the opposite flat as a checkdown and outlet. This is a man beater and zone beater designed to stretch Cover 2 and Cover 3 vertically, with the primary read progression starting on the post working the safety, then working outside to the go routes based on leverage, and checking down to the backfield crosser if the deep shots are covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch pre-snap safety alignment: two deep safeties signal Cover 2 or Cover 4, meaning the post has a window to split the middle before the safeties can close. A single high safety indicates Cover 1 or Cover 3, in which case attacking the boundary go route away from that safety's help is the higher percentage throw. Post-snap, track the flow of the middle linebacker and any user controlled lurk defender, since a sitting linebacker in the deep middle can undercut the post route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Corner positioning at the snap tells you leverage: outside leverage corners are vulnerable to the post breaking inside, while inside leverage corners open up the go route on the sideline. This play struggles against disciplined Cover 3 sink drops with athletic safeties, and it is highly vulnerable to overload blitzes since all four receivers are running vertical or deep breaking routes with no quick hot route unless you manually adjust the running back.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or obvious passing situations where you have time to let routes develop, since all three vertical routes take time to stack defenders.
Identify the coverage shell pre-snap: if you see two deep safeties, key the post route to split them, and if you see a single high safety, target the go route away from the safety's leverage.
Hot route the running back into a swing or flat route if you anticipate pressure, giving yourself a quick answer against blitzes.
Pair this play with Four Verticals or Streaks in the same set to keep the defense honest on vertical shots, then mix in Slants or Curl Flats to punish squatting linebackers and cornerbacks.
Use play action shots like PA Zone Shot or PA Corner Post from this same personnel grouping to disguise your intentions before calling Deep Attack, since the defense will start expecting shorter routes.
