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Breakdown
61 X Choice from Singleback Trips Open sends the backside X on a solo vertical release up the numbers while the trips side runs a three level flood: the outside receiver runs a deep vertical, the middle slot pushes straight up the seam, and the inline slot receiver breaks in on a choice route (in/settle) sitting down over the shallow crossers. There is no visible run blocking or play-action mesh in the diagram, confirming this is a straight dropback pass concept, not an RPO. The route distribution is a natural zone beater with the choice route settling into soft spots against zone and adjusting to a speed cut or sit versus man, and the primary read progresses from the choice route (the option receiver breaking underneath) to the seam vertical, then to the backside iso X vertical as the deep shot if the middle of the field opens up.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and spacing since a two high shell invites the choice route to settle underneath while a single high safety signals the backside X vertical could win one on one. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, because shallow zone drops from Cover 3 or Cover 4 sit right in the choice route's break window and can bait a pick six if the quarterback throws on time without reading the flow. User the underneath hook or curl defender to jump the choice route's settle point, since this is the primary read the offense wants to hit first. Against man coverage, this concept struggles if the defense mugs the choice route with a physical press corner or rerouting linebacker, disrupting the option's timing before it declares its break. Watch for a lurking safety rotating late to the trips side seam route, since a disciplined post-snap rotation can take away both the seam vertical and squeeze the choice route into a tighter window.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two high shells or single high, since the choice route reads leverage off the nearest defender and adjusts its break accordingly.
Against zone coverage, trust the choice route to sit in the soft spot between underneath defenders and throw with anticipation before the linebacker undercuts the window.
Against man coverage, hot route the choice route to a speed out or use the option's natural angle to create separation, and look immediately to the backside X iso route for a one on one shot deep.
Use this play on second and medium or third and short to medium situations where the choice route's option nature lets you convert against both man and zone without needing a specific coverage read.
Pair this play with Four Verticals or PA Streak from the same trips set to keep the defense honest on vertical shots, then come back to 61 X Choice to attack underneath zones once safeties start cheating deep.
