Playbooks

Four Verticals

Singleback·Wing Stack·12

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

In 4 playbooks

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Breakdown

Four Verticals out of Singleback Wing Stack 12 personnel sends all four eligible receivers vertically up the field, stretching the defense sideline to sideline and forcing every level of the coverage to make a decision. The blocking scheme keeps the running back and offensive line in a standard pass protection look to buy time for the routes to develop downfield. This is a premier man beater against single high safety looks and a zone beater against soft zone shells that struggle to cover the seams, with the primary read progression starting at the middle of the field seam, then working to the numbers on either boundary based on the safety rotation.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high versus two high safety alignment before the snap, single high means one defender has to cover two verticals so pick the seam he leaves open Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they sink into deep zone drops instead of manning up on the TEs this play struggles against a true zone beater is needed instead Look for user controlled defenders sitting in a deep middle lurk, this coverage kills the play by taking away the primary seam read and forcing a low percentage sideline throw Recognize Cover 3 or Cover 1 shells with press corners, these get beat easily since the corners have no help over the top on the outside verticals Diagnose blitz packages that bring six or seven rushers, if the defense loads the box you have a numbers advantage vertically but need a quick internal clock since protection is often thin

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see a single high safety this play is money against man coverage and blitz packages that leave one deep defender responsible for two seams

Use motion or a hot route on the TE closest to the boundary to convert his vertical into a seam read if the linebacker widens out of his drop

Save this play for second and long or third and long situations where the defense is more likely to bring pressure or sit in a shell you can exploit vertically

Pair this call with Flanker Spot or Y Stick earlier in a series so the defense respects the short game, then hit them with Four Verticals once they start creeping linebackers up

Against two high safety shells, key on the safety that rotates down and throw opposite him into the vacated seam before he can recover

Other Plays in Wing Stack