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Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Corner Strike out of Singleback U Off (12 personnel) shows a five man route concept with no visible screen or run action, making this a straight dropback pass play. Both outside receivers run corner routes breaking to the sideline at depth, the two inside receivers run deep out breaking routes to the flats, and the inline blue route from the backfield or slot runs a vertical seam up the middle. The primary read progression starts with the seam route as the clock beater, then works to the corner routes on the outside if the safety rotates down, with the flat out routes serving as the checkdown against soft zone or blitz pressure.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and leverage since a single high safety struggles to cover both corner routes if the offense stresses the deep outside quarters. Watch cornerback press alignment because off man coverage on the outside receivers gives easy separation on the corner breaking routes at the top of the stem. Post-snap, key the flat defenders and curl to flat zone droppers since they determine whether the out breaking routes from the inside receivers sit in soft grass or get squeezed by a user controlled defender. Identify any user lurk sitting in the middle of the field since that defender can jump the vertical seam route if the quarterback stares it down too long. This play struggles against Cover 3 sky or Cover 4 quarters shells with disciplined corner route drops, so look for those shells and be ready to check down to the flat routes immediately.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second and long or third and medium when you need a defined high low read on the corner route side. Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety shells since a two high shell tells you the corner routes will have room to sit down in the honey hole against Cover 2. Hot route the seam runner to a slant if you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, since the vertical seam and slant combo attacks Cover 1 and Cover 3 robbers. Pair this play with Quick Slants or PA Flood in your play calling sequence to keep the defense honest against both quick game and shot plays from the same formation look. If the defense loads the box or shows blitz off the edge, check the flat out route quickly since those receivers settle short and give you a built in hot route against pressure.
