Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
WR Option out of Singleback Trips lines up three receivers to one side with a lone receiver backside running a vertical release up the numbers. The backside outside receiver runs a straight go route, the two inside trips receivers run a vertical seam and a deep out breaking away from traffic, while the innermost trips receiver runs an option route off the line, reading the underneath defender before breaking in or out. The tight end runs a swing/flare to the flat and the running back checks protection before releasing outside, giving this play both a man beater option route on the inside slot and a zone beater flat/flood combo underneath. Primary read progression starts with the option route defender key, then works to the flat route and out breaking route if the option is covered, with the deep vertical routes as home run shots against a blown coverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and cornerback alignment on the trips side, since press man or Cover 3 buzz rotations telegraph a jump on the option route. Key the flat defender or nickel corner immediately after the snap, since his depth dictates whether the option breaks in or out. Watch for a user controlled linebacker sitting in the shallow zone, since that lurk defender can jump both the option route and the flat concept if he reads quarterback eyes early. This play beats zone coverage that flows away from the trips side and man coverage without safety help over the top of the seam. It struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with a deep half safety sitting on the seam and against disguised blitzes that bring extra rushers into the trips side, since the option route has no time to develop.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense shows man or zone shell before the snap since the option route reacts differently to each look. Against man coverage, hot route the option route to a slant or speed cut to win quickly off the release versus a trailing defender. Against zone, let the option route sit down and settle in the void since the underlying defenders will widen with the flat and out routes. This play works best on second and medium or third and short since the option route gives you a built in checkdown against blitz looks. Pair this call with HB Dive or HB Zone Wk earlier in a series to get linebackers creeping up, then hit the seam or option route behind them. Sequence with Bubble Screen or Stick from the same set to keep defenders guessing between quick game and option concepts out of an identical formation.
