Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Levels Divide out of Singleback Doubles 11 personnel is a classic Levels concept combined with a divide route from the backfield, built as a Cover 2 beater. The two receivers to the left run a stacked in-out combo, with the inside receiver running a deep dig across the field and the outside receiver sitting on an underneath in route, creating a natural high-low read on the same landmarks. On the right side the TE runs a divide route working from the backfield up through the seam while the outside WR runs a vertical stem, stretching the field vertically and horizontally to attack both zone and man coverage. The primary read progression starts with the deep dig against the outside comeback route, then works down to the underneath in, and finally to the divide route as a checkdown or man beater against a linebacker in space.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and corner alignment, since two deep safeties with soft corners signal Cover 2 or Cover 4, both of which this play is designed to exploit. Post-snap, watch the flat defender on the dig side, if he sinks with the underneath in route it opens a throwing lane for the deep dig behind him. Key the middle linebacker or nickel defender assigned to the divide route, if he opens his hips to run with the TE it confirms man coverage and the divide route becomes the go to answer. Be wary of a user controlled lurk defender sitting in the intermediate middle of the field, since he can jump the dig route if the quarterback holds the ball too long. Against Cover 3 or heavy blitz packages showing a single high safety and press corners, this play loses its main advantages and the quarterback should be ready to check down to the divide route quickly or throw it away.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense shows two deep safeties or a single high shell, since Levels concepts thrive against Cover 2 and Cover 4 where the corners sink into their zones and open up the dig window.
If you see man coverage with a linebacker matched on the divide route, prioritize that route immediately since it is a built in man beater against slower defenders.
Use hot routes to convert the outside receiver on the divide side into a quick out or speed out if the corner is playing tight bump coverage, giving you a faster answer versus press man.
This play works best on second and medium to third and medium situations where the defense is more likely to sit in zone shells rather than bring exotic pressure.
Pair Levels Divide with Flanker Drag or Double Slants in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect both deep in-breaking routes and quick underneath answers, forcing linebackers to widen their drops.
