Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Four Verticals out of Singleback Doubles sends all four eligible receivers vertical, with both outside receivers releasing on go routes up the numbers, the slot receiver running a seam route, and the running back releasing up the middle from the backfield on a vertical stem. The offensive line stays in to protect in a five man slide, giving the QB a clean pocket to work through the vertical stretch. This is a classic Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater built to stress the deep safeties and hi-lo the middle linebacker, with the primary read progression starting at the seam route, then working outside to either boundary go route based on leverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single-high safety looks like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since this play is designed to exploit those shells by overloading the deep thirds or man coverage vertically. Watch for two deep safeties splitting the field evenly, which signals Cover 2 or Cover 4, forcing the QB to thread the seam route between zone defenders rather than throwing to the boundary. Key the middle linebacker post-snap, since a shallow drop or blitz creates an easy throwing lane to the seam route. Look for user controlled safeties rotating late to double the seam, which opens up the outside go routes on either side. This play struggles against Cover 4 or Cover 6 shells with disciplined deep defenders who stay on top of routes, and it is vulnerable to overload blitzes that beat the five man protection before routes develop.
Usage Tips
Identify two-high shells pre-snap since this play is designed to overload single-high or split safety coverages by forcing one defender to cover two verticals.
Use motion or a hot route on the running back to check him into a flat route if you see man coverage with a linebacker matched up, since the RB vertical is a low percentage throw against tight man.
Against Cover 3, target the seam route first since it sits in the honey hole between the flat defender and the deep third safety.
Pair this play with Curl Flats or Slants from the same formation to keep defenses honest on shorter throws before hitting them with the vertical shot off similar pre-snap looks.
Best called on first or second down and long, or in two minute situations where you need an explosive play and can live with an incompletion.
