Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Middle | Swing |
| TE1 | Right | Flat |
| WR2 | Left | Option Route |
| WR1 | Right | Smash |
| WR3 | Right | Post |
Read X-Choice out of Singleback Y Off Trio Close is a choice route based passing concept built to attack whatever the defense gives it, functioning as both a man beater and a zone beater depending on the leverage the X receiver gets off the line. The X runs the namesake choice route while the trio bunch to the closed side works underneath and vertical stems to occupy the second and third levels, giving the quarterback a horizontal stretch to work through. The primary read progression starts with the X-Choice route based on the defender's technique, then works to the trio breakout or drag underneath, and finally to the backside as a checkdown or scramble outlet.
Watch the corner over the X presnap, if he is aligned outside with inside help from a safety you are likely seeing Cover 2 or Cover 4 and the choice route should sit down short instead of pushing vertical Key the flow of the linebackers after the snap, if they sink hard into the trio's underneath routes it signals zone coverage and the choice route window opens up behind them Identify any user controlled defender lurking near the choice route breakpoint, since Read X-Choice is vulnerable to a user spy or robber sitting in that exact throwing lane Recognize Cover 3 by a single deep safety and two corners playing zone drops, this shell can be exploited if the choice route breaks to the open flat before the corner rotates over Beware disguised blitzes that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the trio's blocking help is limited and the quarterback needs a quick presnap answer to hot route protection if you see a nano blitz look
Presnap, identify whether the corner on the X is playing off man or bail technique because that dictates whether the choice route sits down or breaks vertical, and hot route the X to a hard out if you see a hard press corner with no safety help over the top
Use this play on third and medium to third and long since the choice route naturally adapts to the defender's depth and gives the quarterback a built in conversion option
Motion the trio slightly before the snap to confirm man versus zone, if the defenders shift with the motion you have man coverage and can trust the choice route to win one on one
Pair this play with Y Shallow Cross or Mesh from the same set to keep the defense guessing between a quick underneath rhythm throw and the deeper choice concept
Against zone heavy defenses, target the choice route settling into the soft spot behind the underneath zone defenders and in front of the deep half safety for an easy pitch and catch