Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
TE Option out of Strong I Y Off Close is a play-action style pass concept built off 21 personnel, though the diagram shows a straight dropback pass look with no play fake indicated. The X receiver runs a deep comeback breaking hard to the sideline, the TE (Y) works an option route out of the backfield area that can settle or break outside, and the Z receiver on the opposite side runs a vertical seam up the numbers. The lone RB releases as a checkdown option, and the primary read progression starts with the TE option route working the flat and intermediate zones, then works to the deep comeback outside, with the vertical seam as a home run shot if the defense bites underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high safety shells since the vertical seam route becomes a dangerous conflict read for that deep defender. Watch cornerback depth on the X receiver's side, off coverage invites the deep comeback while press alignment signals a jam that can be beaten with the option route instead. Post-snap, key the flat defender or curl to flat zone player, if he sits on the TE option route the comeback outside opens up. Look for user linebackers spying the TE option route out of the backfield, if the user drops deep to take away the option, the checkdown RB or comeback becomes the answer. Cover 3 zones with underneath defenders passing off routes are vulnerable here since the option route can sit in the seam between zones.
Usage Tips
Use the TE option route as your first read against zone coverage since he can sit down in soft spots between linebackers and the flat defender.
Against man coverage, look to the vertical seam route immediately since it isolates the Z receiver on a linebacker or safety with a straight speed mismatch.
Hot route the checkdown RB into a quick flat route if you diagnose a blitz pre-snap, giving you a built-in answer against pressure.
Pair this play with HB Blast or HB Blunt Dive from the same Strong I set to keep defenses honest against the run before dialing up TE Option on play-action passing downs.
Best used on second or third and medium since the option route and comeback both need a few seconds to develop and give the quarterback multiple layers to attack.
