Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Go's out of Strong I Pro is a vertical shot play built to stretch the field with three deep routes and a shallow crosser underneath. Both outside receivers run straight Go routes up the sideline while the slot receiver runs a double dig, breaking inside twice before working back to the QB, and the fullback releases on a wheel route from the backfield for a man beating angle against linebackers. The primary read is outside in: check both Go routes for a blown coverage or one on one shell, then work down to the FB wheel against man coverage or the double dig against zone if the deep shots are covered.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the corners are playing press or off man, since off coverage gives the Go routes room to be undercut by a good user before the ball ever gets deep. Check safety alignment: a two high shell signals the outside Go routes will likely be covered over the top, pushing your progression toward the FB wheel or double dig read. Watch linebacker depth and leverage at the snap, because a linebacker sitting flat footed or blitzing leaves the FB wheel wide open against man coverage. If the defense shows Cover 3, the deep third defender to the double dig side is the key read: if he widens with the outside Go route, the underneath dig sits in the vacated middle zone. This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 with disciplined deep help and against user controlled defenders who sit on the FB wheel, so avoid calling it into a shell where safeties are clearly reading the backfield.
Usage Tips
Use this play on shot opportunities such as second and long or third and long when the defense is likely to sit in a soft zone or single high shell. Pre-snap, check safety depth and count defenders in the box: two high safeties often means the Go routes will get bracketed, so lean on the FB wheel or the double dig underneath instead. Motion the fullback or check the linebacker depth to confirm man coverage before trusting the wheel route, since it is a strong man beater against linebackers who cannot stay on top. Pair this play with FB Screen or HB Dive from the same personnel to keep defenses honest and set up the wheel route on later downs once linebackers start creeping up expecting run action. Against Cover 3 or Cover 4, prioritize the double dig since it settles into the intermediate window that Go routes cannot exploit.
