Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Slot Z Out is a five man route concept out of the 3WR Split Backs formation designed to attack the flat and intermediate zones with quick, high percentage throws. The outside receiver to the flanker side runs a deep out breaking route while the inside slot receiver on that same side works a short out to the flat, creating a natural high low read against man and zone coverage. On the backside, the running back releases into the flat with an out route while the tight end runs a deep dig style crosser to the opposite flat, giving the quarterback a full field progression with built in leverage beaters on both sides.
Defensive Reads
Versus Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells the flanker deep out will sit down in the void between the deep third and the underneath zone, so read the depth of the corner drop before pulling the trigger Man coverage beats itself here since the slot out and running back out create natural separation against trail technique, look for the defender turning his hips too early Watch the weak side linebacker or nickel defender responsible for the flat, if he sinks with the slot receiver's out route the quarterback should climb the progression to the tight end's deep crosser Blitz packages that bring five or six rushers will be answered by the running back's quick out, so if you see stacked boxes or overload pressure looks presnap, key on that check down first A user controlled defender sitting in the shallow hook or flat area is the biggest threat to this concept, since he can jump both out routes if he reads the quarterback's eyes early
Usage Tips
Presnap identify whether the defense is showing zone or man leverage on the outside corner over the flanker, since the deep out only wins if the corner is playing off or in a soft zone shell
Use the running back out route as your first read versus blitz heavy fronts because it releases quickly and gives you a built in answer against man blitz pressure
Hot route the deep dig from the tight end into a shorter hook if you see a robber or lurking linebacker sitting in the middle of the field to protect against a jump throw interception
This play works best on second and medium to third and short since the out routes settle quickly and give you a high floor conversion option
Pair this with Curls Read Special or WR Hook Outs in the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick out breaking concepts and deeper curl or hook combinations
