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Breakdown
Out N Ups from Singleback Tight Flex 11 personnel shows a four man route concept with a solo backfield check release. The outside receivers run vertical seams (red and gold verticals), the tight end runs an out and up route from the flex position that breaks toward the sideline before stemming vertical again, and the slot receiver runs a quick out that flattens toward the boundary as an underneath option, while the running back checks protection before releasing on a short middle route. This is a man beater built around the tight end's double move to shake press or trail coverage, with the primary read progressing from the tight end's out and up route to the two vertical routes on the outside if the double move is jumped by an underneath defender.
Defensive Reads
Presnap, identify if the defense is showing two deep safeties or a single high safety, since Cover 2 corners sitting on the out portion of the route can undercut the double move for a pick six. Watch for a linebacker or nickel defender walked up over the tight end, which signals man coverage and a green light to trust the out and up as your primary read. Post snap, key the flat defender's reaction to the tight end's out stem, if he jumps it hard the tight end should already be breaking upfield on the up phase for a big play window. Beware Cover 3 zone drops with a deep third corner sitting outside, since that shell can squeeze the vertical routes and force you to check down to the running back or slot out. Look for a delayed blitz off the edge, since the running back's check release responsibility must account for late pressure before releasing into his route.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and long when you need to attack a defense that is playing aggressive man coverage with underneath jump routes.
Check for press corners or a linebacker walked up on the tight end presnap, since the out and up is designed to counter exactly that kind of aggressive alignment.
Motion the slot receiver across formation presnap to identify man versus zone before the snap, then hot route the running back to a flat or check release based on the blitz look.
Pair this play with HB Slam or HB Dive earlier in a drive to get linebackers creeping toward the line of scrimmage, which opens up the tight end's out and up double move even more.
Sequence this play after Shallow Cross or Mesh so defenders start jumping short crossing routes, then hit the double move for an explosive gain over the top.
