What started as a boundary beater play became a great high percentage, quick pass play to my TE with simple reads for the QB on a three-step drop out of the Shotgun. The ideal formation for this play is to be in a 2 x 2 (11 personnel) set with the TE to the field, and the RB also set to the field in the Gun. Base Formation
Protection & Offensive Linemen:
It ends up being a 5-man protection, but the ball will be out quickly. The QB always called the base six-man protection knowing that one or two defenders could potentially come clean, but this play takes care of that with the two routes that are being read by the QB. This kept things simple for the offensive linemen.
Outside WR’s:
Both of the outside WR’s have the same task – clear the corner, getting his hips and head turned to the outside and running him off.
Running Back:
The running back will take a course that will put him at a two yards by two yards spot off of where the TE lined up pre-snap to the field. he makes sure his head is turned back towards the QB.
Tight End:
On the snap, the TE will essentially run a shallow route at five yards into the boundary. The timing will need to be worked on to come under the slot WR at the right time and potentially slow down at that point. Also working with the TE at running this route through traffic in the tackle box is a good idea with all three looks by the inside linebacksrs (sitting and walling, blitzing, and dropping out).
Slot WR In Boundary:
This route is one that will require some reps to acquire the proper feel. The slot WR’s ultimate task is to run at the outside linebackers (overhang) inside hip to get his hips turned back to the inside and hopefully get him to chase.
Slot WR Route Note: Id that LB blitzes, the slot WR simply continues up the outside of the hash marks and occupies the boundary safety. He should run at him if he stayed deep getting his hips turned inside. Slot WR Route vs pressure
Quarterback Reads:
The primary read by the QB is to throw to the TE as soon as the OLB turns his hips back to the inside. Or, if the OLB blitzes, as soon as the TE clears the ILB’s. Note: Be alert for a hard cover 2 look (not ideal). In this case the ball must be thrown to the TE quick enough so as to allow him to turn and get upfield before the corner can get to him.
If the TE is not open because the OLB sat on his route, then the QB must snap his eyes to the field and look to throw to the RB (very rarely can a defense cover both the TE and the RB in this play).
If the QB finds that he doesn’t like the look of the RB, then he must throw the ball away or run with it.
Simple change to “Read” boundary OLB when he is sitting on TE’s shallow route:
With a simple boundary adjustment you can take advantage of the boundary OLB when he is sitting on the shallow route and now give your QB a simple high-low read on that defender. Boundary OLB High Low Read
The outside WR to the boundary will run his route to a direct landmark of ten yards deep, two yards outside the hash.
The slot to the boundary will run a wheel vertical coming off of the outside WR’s butt and getting on his outside vertical landmark trying to get the corners’ hips turned to the outside and clear him out.
the QB’s read now will be the high-low on the OLB with a possible check back to the RB to the field if that picture is cloudy in the boundary. Note: If your QB feels good about no pressure coming on this play, go ahead and get the RB out to the field on his 2 x 2 route to give the complete illusion that you are running the base play. However, if there is a threat of pressure, you probably want to keep the RB in to protect, ideally to the field to not cloud up the picture into the boundary.
Conclusion:
These are two very good plays that complement each other well, especially if your TE is one of your best weapons. These two plays allow you to get a high percentage pass off to him quickly and then allow him to run.