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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Pats Zig is a quick-hitting man beater out of Singleback Y Trips with 11 personnel. The two trips receivers run zig (slant flat) routes that cut hard across the middle at a shallow depth, the outside trips receiver runs a deeper zig that stems into the same window, and the flat route underneath clears out space for the shallow crosser while the backside X runs a hitch off a quick out cut. This concept floods the underneath zones and man traffic with three crossing routes, with the primary read being the shallow zig off trips into the flat route, then working back to the hitch on the backside if the middle is jumped.
Defensive Reads
Presnap, look for cornerbacks in press man alignment on the trips receivers since the zig routes are designed to beat exactly that leverage with natural picks. Check safety depth over the top: if a single high safety is showing, the deep zig route from the outside trips receiver has room to work since there is no help underneath on the crossers. Post snap, key the middle linebacker or nickel defender assigned to the shallow zig, since a fast trigger from that defender into the crossing lane can jump the route and bait a turnover. Watch for zone match coverages like Cover 3 sky or Cover 4 buzz, which can clog the shallow crossing lanes and force a checkdown to the flat or hitch. Beware of user controlled lurk defenders sitting in the shallow zone, since they can jump the zig route if the quarterback stares down the primary read too long.
Usage Tips
Use this play on third and short or medium yardage situations where defenses expect man coverage or press man at the line. Presnap, identify if the defense is showing man match or man press on the trips side, since the crossing zig routes create natural rub and separation against tight man coverage. Hot route the flat defender to a flat route or drag if you see a linebacker sitting in the underneath passing window to clear the crossers faster. Pair this play with Curls or Stick from the same set to keep defenses guessing between quick game man beaters and zone beating curls concepts. Combine with Y Shallow Cross or Mesh in your play calling script to condition defenders to jump routes early, then hit Pats Zig off the same trips look for an explosive gain versus aggressive man defenders.
