Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Quick Outs from the Split Backs Pro formation is a quick game passing concept built to get the ball out fast against pressure or man coverage. The diagram shows four routes breaking outward: both outside receivers run out routes at different depths, the inline TE runs an out breaking left underneath, and the running back to the right runs a wheel style out into the flat. With no true blocking shown, the concept relies on quick timing rather than a max protect scheme, making this a man beater with strong zone beating properties on the short outside stems. The primary read progression starts with the boundary out on the left (the deepest, longest breaking route) and works down to the TE crossing underneath before checking the flat option to the right.
Defensive Reads
Check the cornerback depth and leverage before the snap, since press man corners are vulnerable to the out breaking routes if they do not get a clean jam. Watch the flat defender on the right side, whether it is a linebacker or nickel corner, because that defender's drop determines whether the flat route to the RB is open or taken away. Identify Cover 2 shells by safety alignment, since a hard corner sitting on the outside out route will cut the throwing window and force a check down to the TE. Look for blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge, as this quick pass concept is designed to beat pressure by getting rid of the ball before defenders arrive. If a user controlled defender sits underneath the TE out route as a lurk, the quarterback should look outside first to the boundary out where the passing lane is cleaner.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hot route check to identify if the defense is showing man or zone before the snap, since this play thrives against both but the ball placement changes.
Against man coverage, take the shot to the deep out on the far left first since defenders in trail technique cannot break on the ball as fast as the receiver breaks outside.
Against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 2, work the underneath TE out route and the flat route to the right since those routes settle into soft spots between zone defenders.
This play is ideal on 3rd and short to 3rd and medium since every route breaks quickly and gets the ball out before pressure arrives.
Pair this call with Slants or Curl Flat from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick outside breaking routes and inside breaking option routes, forcing linebackers to widen or collapse depending on the previous play.
