Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Under is a play-action pass out of Singleback Tight Doubles that creates a natural Levels/Flood look to one side while stretching the field vertically on the other. The play-side runs a Deep Cross that works underneath a Go route stretching the boundary, a Seam route from the slot climbs the middle of the field, and an In route breaks off a red stem to sit in the intermediate zone while the backfield release runs a Flat route to hold underneath defenders. This is a zone beater at its core, using the Deep Cross and In combo to attack seams vacated by linebackers and safeties dropping to cover the Go and Seam routes, with the primary read progression starting at the Deep Cross, then working to the In route sitting underneath, and finally checking down to the Flat if the middle is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety alignment before the snap, if both safeties are deep and off the ball, expect Cover 2 or Cover 4 and target the Deep Cross and In route window between the levels. Watch the flow of the linebackers after the play-action fake, if they bite hard on the run fake, the middle of the field opens up for the Deep Cross and In combo immediately. Key the cornerback over the Go route, if he presses and turns his hips early, the deep sideline is live and the quarterback can climb the pocket and hit the Go route in stride. Identify any user-controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, since he can undercut the In route or jump the Deep Cross if the quarterback stares it down too long. Against Cover 3 or heavy zone blitz packages, expect the Seam route to draw the deep middle defender away, which should be the trigger to work the Flat route as a quick and easy completion versus blitzing linebackers.
Usage Tips
Look for two high safety shells pre-snap since the Go and Seam routes are designed to occupy both deep defenders and open the Deep Cross and In underneath.
Use play-action from under center or in shotgun to freeze linebackers just long enough for the Deep Cross to clear the middle before they can sink into their drops.
This play hits best on second and long or third and medium when defenses are more likely to sit in zone coverage rather than bring pressure.
If you see man coverage across the board, hot route the Flat into a quick option or speed out to give yourself a quicker outlet against blitzes.
Pair Under with HB Inside Zone or HB Dive earlier in a series to sell the run fake, then call Under once the defense starts crashing linebackers downhill.
