Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Deep In from Singleback Tight Y Off 11 personnel sends the outside receiver on a deep In route that breaks hard across the middle, while the TE releases vertically up the seam to clear out the linebackers and occupy the deep middle defender. The backside X runs a Go route to stretch the corner and safety deep, and the HB releases into the flat as a checkdown outlet and blocking valve. This is a man beater and Cover 3 beater built to attack the void behind LB drops with the Deep In as the primary read, working through the seam vertical and finally to the flat route if the middle is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sinks deep into a zone drop the Deep In window will be tight so check the seam route instead. Key the safety rotation post-snap, a single high safety who bites on the seam route opens up the deep In behind him. Cover 3 is vulnerable here because the flat defender and deep middle defender cannot cover both the Deep In and the seam route simultaneously. Man coverage with a linebacker matched on the TE seam is a green light to trust that route, especially against Cover 1 or Cover 0 blitz looks. Beware user controlled lurk defenders sitting in the shallow middle, they can jump the Deep In route if the quarterback holds the ball too long, so time the throw before the break completes.
Usage Tips
Use this on second or third and long when defenses expect a deeper drop and are more willing to sit in zone coverage.
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety looks because a single high shell means the Deep In will have a clean throwing window against Cover 3 or Cover 1.
If you see man coverage with no help over the top, work the seam route first since the TE can win vertically against a linebacker or slower safety in man.
Combine this with Stick or Bench Switch on earlier downs to set up quick game tendencies, then hit the Deep In once the defense starts jumping short routes.
Hot route the HB to a stay-in block against exotic pressure looks or nano blitzes so you have time to let the Deep In develop against zone drops.
