Playbooks

Fade Out

Singleback·Doubles·11

Out Fade Pass Play

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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

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Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

SetDoubles

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Franchise College Pro OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Fade Out is a man beater built on a high low stretch to one side of the formation, pairing a fade route from the outside receiver with an out route breaking underneath from the inside slot or TE. The fade occupies the cornerback and any deep safety help while the out route settles into the void created along the sideline, giving the quarterback a clear boundary throw against tight coverage. Blocking is standard five man pass protection out of Singleback 11 personnel, so the primary read progression starts with the fade on a one on one shoulder read, then works down to the out route as the checkdown against off coverage or zone drops.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify single high safety looks like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since these shells leave the fade route in a true one on one matchup with no help over the top. Watch for cornerbacks pressing at the line, press man coverage is vulnerable to the fade if the receiver can win off the jam, but it also gives the defense a chance to disrupt the timing before the out route develops. Post-snap, key any user controlled defender dropping into the flat or sinking under the out route, this lurk technique is the biggest threat to the underneath read and forces the quarterback to trust the fade instead. Against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties, expect the fade to be capped, so shift focus immediately to the out route sitting in the natural soft spot between the flat defender and the deep half safety. If the defense shows an overload blitz to the play side, the quarterback needs a quick trigger to the out route since the protection may not hold long enough for the fade to develop downfield.

Usage Tips

Check the cornerback depth before the snap, if he is playing tight man with no safety over the top the fade is a live shot play on the back shoulder. Against off coverage or zone shells, work the out route as your primary read since it settles into the flat zone or sits underneath a cornerback playing soft. Use this play in the red zone or on third and short to medium since the out route gives a high percentage completion while the fade keeps the defense honest on jump ball opportunities. Pair Fade Out with Corner Strike or Fade Smash in your play calling sequence, since both plays sell similar route stems to the boundary and force the defense to guess between fade and corner breaks. If the defense starts jumping the out route after seeing it on tape, hot route the outside receiver to a hitch or double move to counter aggressive user lurk defenders sitting underneath.