Gameplan

Welcome back to The Call Sheet!

At the time of writing this post, voting was even on last week’s poll. So today, we’ll dive into the basics of the route tree at the college level, some common modifications, and other routes that have become standard in offenses across the country. TLDR:

• Cover 1

  • Foundations of Football: Offensive Route Tree

• Quick Game

  • Additional Common Routes

Cover 1

Foundations of Football: Offensive Route Tree

The typical 1-9 route tree taught to players at the youth level is also prevalent up to the NFL ranks. Offenses, at any level, will continuously leverage the numbering system, as it’s easier for players to learn and allows them to visualize a play quickly by the order of those numbers. For readers unfamiliar with the baseline route tree, here’s an image for reference:

While the standard route tree is essential to know, offenses have evolved so much in the past two decades that every baseline route has modifications considered to be “Day 1 Install” material for teams. Let’s go through the route tree from 1 to 9, and in the Quick Game section, I’ll share some additional routes you can expect to see on Saturdays. Note that the use of any modification is dependent on the scheme and play.

(1) - Flat

A Flat (1) has multiple variations that can be leveraged in a given play. First and foremost, a flat is consistently an outside-breaking route at roughly 3 to 5 yards. The base variation for outside receivers is a short square-out. A standard flat route for inside receivers requires immediately running toward the sideline and getting no deeper than three yards. The two most common variations that any receiver can run are the Speed Out (three hard steps and rounding off the break) and a Hitch (three hard steps and breaking out back towards the line of scrimmage). Lastly, a Stick (dashed lines from the Y) is reserved for receivers lined up closer to the ball. It’s an option route that combines a hitch and a flat. Against zone coverage, receivers are coached to sit down in a window, and against man, they’re told to keep moving outside.

(2) - Slant

A Slant (2) only has a couple of variations outside the traditional three hard steps and breaking inside at a 45-degree angle. The first is a Shallow or shallow cross, typically reserved for receivers closer to the ball. In this route, they release inside at a slight angle and run across the field, getting no deeper than ten yards. Crossing routes are called Action-2s in some offenses, forcing receivers to run under the first linebacker and over the second. The last common variant of a slant is the quicker-developing 1-Step Slant.

(3) - Comeback

The Comeback (3) breaks at a depth of 12 to 15 yards, with the receiver breaking down and outside at a 45-degree angle to the sideline. Comebacks are most effective when receivers sell that they’re running a 9 (typically the Fade variation). Instead of running comebacks, inside receivers run an outside-breaking Curl with the same coaching points.

(4) - Curl

The Curl (4) is the opposite of a comeback, still breaking at 12 to 15 yards but breaking inside. In the first variant, an Over-The-Ball or OTB, receivers run 7 to 10 yards of depth and curl back toward the quarterback directly across from where the ball was snapped. The second is a Post-Curl, where receivers sell the Post before breaking back toward the line of scrimmage.

(5) - Out

The Out (5) typically breaks around 12 yards, but unlike its shorter counterpart, it does not have many variations. Once the route extends past 14 yards, it’ll be considered a Deep Out. You rarely find receivers rounding off their breaks for Outs and Deep Outs.

(6) - Dig

The Dig (6) is the opposite of an out, breaking inside at roughly 12 yards. Similarly, it also has a deep version. As offenses have continued to evolve, option routes have become commonplace to provide answers against any coverage. An option route variation of the dig I’ve seen numerous teams use is the Middle Read (reserved for inside receivers). If the middle of the field is closed (Cover 1 or 3), the inside receiver continues running a dig. However, if a defender walls off the receiver, they are coached to curl inside and work back out to an open window. If the defense keeps the middle of the field open by running Cover 2, 4, or 6, then the inside receiver is coached to run a Bender (a vertical route bending inside).

(7) - Corner

The Corner (7) or Flag route is a deep outside-breaking route run up the field, cutting at a 45-degree angle toward the sideline. The angles may change as offenses also utilize a High Angle-7 and Flat-7. Additionally, many teams opt to sell the post and create additional space with the Post-Corner.

(8) - Post

Once again, the inside-breaking route is the opposite of its counterpart. The Post is a deep inside-breaking route run up the field, cutting at a 45-degree angle toward the middle of the field. It has a couple of modifications that are the opposite of a corner route, but it also has some unique differentiators. A Bang-8 is a quick-hitting post where the receiver breaks inside between 8 to 10 yards. A Skinny Post requires the receiver to break around 10 yards with a higher angle. The Homerun-8 is a deep post that also leverages a higher angle. Teams will leverage homerun-8s in their shot plays. Lastly, although they’re not as common as the PoCo, some teams will use Corner-Posts to get their receivers open.

(9) - Fade

The Fade (9), also commonly referred to as a Go, Clear Out, Fly, or Vertical, is recognizable by a receiver working to beat a defender’s cushion in off-man or win with an outside release in press-man to stack on top of the defensive back down the field. The Slot Fade may look similar to the high angle-7, but the receiver will look over their inside shoulder. Additionally, the Seam will typically have a bender option for inside receivers if the middle of the field is open (Cover 2 or 4). Lastly, the most common double moves are the Stutter & Go and the Sluggo (slant & go).

Quick Game

Additional Common Routes

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