Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
TE Option out of Singleback Wing Tight lines up two receivers to the left (one running a deep post/corner breaking route and the other on a quick out) with a blue checkdown route working underneath to the flat, while the tight end on the option route reads the flat defender and either sits or breaks vertical up the seam. On the backside, a receiver runs a vertical stem straight up the numbers to hold the safety. This is a man beater built around the TE option route creating a rub against man defenders, with the primary read progression starting at the TE option, then working to the underneath checkdown in the flat, and finally the vertical shot on the backside if the safety bites down.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender's depth at the snap since a shallow drop signals zone coverage that will sit on the TE option route. Key the safety over the vertical route on the backside; if he stays deep and outside, the QB will likely work the underneath checkdown instead of forcing the post. User a linebacker to shadow the TE option route in man coverage to take away the primary read and force the QB to hesitate. Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells with disciplined underneath defenders shut this down by taking away both the option route and the checkdown simultaneously. Blitzes with a spy or hot defender on the TE can disrupt the option route timing before it develops, forcing an early checkdown throw.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check for man coverage indicators like a linebacker or safety walking up over the TE since the option route thrives against man leverage.
Hot route the checkdown receiver to a flat or speed out if you see a Cover 2 shell with hard flat defenders sitting underneath the option read.
Use this play on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and medium) to keep the offense balanced and set up play-action shots off the same TE alignment later in the drive.
Pair this with PA Y Sail or PA Boot Slide from the same formation to give the defense the same initial TE look while attacking deeper zones once they start jumping the option route.
If the defense keys the option route quickly, motion the checkdown receiver pre-snap to create a natural pick or rub against man defenders trailing the TE.
