Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Verticals out of Weak I H Close Off sends four receivers vertically to stretch the defense from sideline to sideline. The X receiver and TE run seam-vertical routes up the middle of the field while the flanker on the boundary side runs a corner route breaking outside near the numbers, and the fullback releases out of the backfield on a flat route that widens into a shallow vertical. This is a four verts concept built as both a Cover 2 beater (attacking the deep middle void between safeties) and a Cover 3 beater (overloading the deep thirds with four vertical stems), with the primary read starting at the seam route from the TE, then working to the inside vertical from the X, and finally to the corner route breaking outside if the safeties bite on the seams.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two deep safeties or a single high safety, as this dictates which vertical route will be open. Watch the cornerback depth at the snap, if corners are playing off with outside leverage, the seam routes from the TE and X will have room to work against Cover 3. Key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sinks deep into the seam instead of staying shallow, this indicates a Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell trying to take away the inside verticals. Look for a user-controlled safety rotating late to double the seam route, which signals a disguised zone or a lurking defender ready to jump the throw. If the defense shows a nano blitz or heavy pressure package pre-snap, the fullback's route becomes critical since he may need to chip or block instead of running his route, so recognize blitz timing quickly to protect the quarterback.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap safety alignment before the snap, if you see two deep safeties split wide with no middle help, target the seam routes immediately because Cover 2 has a natural hole in the deep middle. Against single high looks or Cover 3, work your eyes to the corner route on the outside since the flat defender or curl defender will struggle to get enough width to defend it. Consider hot routing the fullback's flat route into a chip release or check into a stay-in block if you are seeing pressure from the weak side edge, since the fullback and TE alignment leaves you thin in max protect. Pair this play with Flanker Drive or Stick from the same set as a play-action or quick game changeup so the defense cannot sit on the vertical shell after seeing verts once or twice. Use this on early downs or obvious passing situations where you have time in the pocket, since all four routes take time to develop and this is not a quick-hitting concept.
