Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Four Verticals out of Singleback Y Trips sends all four eligible receivers vertically to stretch the defense from sideline to sideline. The two outside receivers in the trips bunch and the backside X both run straight seams up the field, while the slot receiver out of trips runs a vertical that breaks into a deep crossing route past the second level, and the HB releases from the backfield on a check release option route working underneath through the middle of the field. The offensive line is in a standard pass protection shell with the HB scanning for blitz before working his route, making this a classic Cover 2 and Cover 3 zone beater where the primary read starts with the two inside seams to find the soft spot between the deep safeties, then works to the crossing route if the middle opens up.
Defensive Reads
Look for two deep safeties pre-snap, which signals Cover 2 and tells you the seams will split the safeties for a big play if the corners do not get a jam. A single high safety pre-snap means Cover 3, so target the deep middle void between the two safeties over the top of the crossing route and one seam runner. Watch the flow of the middle linebacker after the snap, if he drops into a deep third or hook zone that eats the crossing route, take the vertical shot on the seam away from his drop. Man coverage with no help over the top is the biggest counter to this play, since a user controlled defender can jump the seam and undercut the route before it develops. Disguised blitzes with late rotation are dangerous against this concept because the quarterback needs extra time for these routes to stretch the field, so recognize A gap pressure or a delayed blitzer crossing the formation before committing to a deep read.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the safeties to confirm two-high versus one-high before the snap, since this play is designed to attack the seams against Cover 2 and the honey hole against Cover 3.
Key the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sinks deep to take away the crossing route the seams will be wide open for an easy vertical shot.
Hot route the HB into a max protect check release on third and long or when facing a heavy blitz look, giving your quarterback extra time to let the verticals develop downfield.
Pair this play with Curls or Stick from the same Y Trips set to keep the defense guessing between shallow zone beaters and this deep shot, forcing linebackers to respect both levels.
Attack Four Verticals in shot situations like second and long or two minute drill scenarios where defenses are more likely to sit in soft zone shells that this route combo is built to exploit.
