Intro
Below is a list of the most common Deep Pass and Play Action concepts and terminology in football. I cover what each concept does while adding some key points along with various play images for reference. I use the latest football games like College Football 26 and Madden NFL 26 as a way to organize concepts so what you see below is from the Deep Pass and Play Action Concepts section.
I’m adding play action concepts to this post because there are only two play action concepts recognized in these games. Also know that most passing concepts can have play action tagged to them and typically attack deep.
Passing concepts can be mirrored (the same concept on each side) or to just one side. This means you will often see plays with two separate concepts on either side. This is more true than ever which is comes to these specific concepts.
Comeback
Comeback is a precision passing concept where a receiver runs vertically (typically 12-15 yards) to sell a deep “fade” route, then abruptly stops, drops their hips, and cuts sharply back toward the sideline to catch the ball. It is highly effective against off-coverage, creating separation for a “back shoulder” throw.
Key Points
- The Route Technique: Receivers sell the deep fade with high speed, then use a “violent drop” (often on the inside foot) to pivot 45 degrees, snapping their chin to their knee to stop momentum.
- Timing and Spacing: Typically run 12-15 yards deep, this route breaks outside the widest defender, making it difficult for defensive backs to defend if executed properly.
- Quarterback Execution: Requires strong arm strength to deliver the ball quickly to the outside before the defender recovers. It is often used as a “back shoulder” throw to prevent the interception.
- Context: It is often used in spread formations to take advantage of wide spacing. It can be paired with other routes, such as in a “Dash” concept (flood, intermediate comeback, deep corner) or with a “Grab” (hitch/comeback combo).
Dagger
Dagger is a 2-man passing concept designed to stretch defenses vertically and horizontally, often using a “seam/clear-out” route to pull defenders deep, allowing a 12–15 yard “dig” (in) route to settle in the void behind them. It is highly effective against Cover 2, Cover 3, and man coverage by creating high-low conflicts for safeties and linebackers.
Key Points
- The Seam (Inside Receiver): Runs a vertical route (seam or seam/post) to clear out defenders.
- The Dig (Outside Receiver): Runs a hard vertical release, then cuts sharply inside at 12–15 yards, landing in the space vacated by the seam route.
- Backside/Tag-ons: Often paired with a shallow cross or drag route on the opposite side to create a full-field high-low read for the quarterback.
- Goal: To stress safeties and linebackers, forcing them to choose between covering the deep vertical or the intermediate dig.
- Variations:
- 2×2 Formation: Standard setup with the Dagger on one side.
- 3×1/Trips: Often used to isolate a defender and create more space for the dig route.
- Play Action: Frequently paired with play action to draw linebackers forward, enhancing the space behind them for the dig.
Divide
Divide is a passing strategy designed to attack a single-high safety (Cover 3) by placing two receivers in their zone, forcing them to choose which threat to cover. It creates easy, high-percentage throws by splitting the safety’s focus, often leading to big plays or wide-open receivers in the middle of the field.
Key Points
- Purpose: To create a “conflict” for the free safety in Cover 3, forcing them to choose between two vertical threats.
- Application: Commonly used in the run-and-shoot offense, it often involves outside receivers running vertical routes to occupy defenders while interior receivers attack the middle.
- Variations: It can be run from various formations, including “3-2-1” or “989” concepts, where the safety is left one-on-one with a receiver.
Double Dig
Double Dig is a passing play featuring two receivers running horizontal in-breaking routes (digs) to the same side of the field, usually at different depths (e.g., one at 10-12 yards, another at 15-18 yards) to create high-low coverage conflicts. It is effective against both zone and man defenses, forcing linebackers and safeties to defend multiple levels horizontally.
Key Points
- Structure: Often used with 11 or 20 personnel, it places two receivers on the same side, often with a tight end or slot receiver.
- Routes: The inside receiver (H) typically runs a middle-read or shorter dig, while the outside receiver runs a deeper dig.
- Read Progression: The quarterback reads the defense’s safety and linebacker positioning to choose between the shallow or deep dig.
- Variations:
- Drive Concept: Often pairs a shallow crosser (2-3 yards) with a deeper dig (10-12 yards) to create a high-low stretch.
- Double China-7: Features two 5-yard in routes (China) with a corner route, commonly used in the red zone to create space.
- Dagger Concept: Pairs a deep dig (15 yards) with a seam route to clear out defenders.
Double Post
Double Post is a 2×2 or 3×1 passing play designed to create big-play touchdowns by overloading a specific area of the field with two different, vertical post routes. It is highly effective against two-high safety, Cover 4, and Cover 3 defenses, using a “bait” post by the inside receiver to manipulate safety coverage and create a void for a deeper “skinny” post by the outside receiver.
Key Points
- Structure: Typically run from 2×2 formations, this play divides the field into a “Double Post” side and a “Smash” or complementary route side.
- The Routes:
- Inside/Slot Receiver (Bait Post): Executes a 7-8 yard intermediate post, aiming to draw the safety or linebacker down.
- Outside Receiver (Skinny Post): Executes a deeper post route, aimed behind the bait post to get over the top of the defense.
- Progression: Quarterbacks generally read the coverage inside-out to down, looking for the deep shot first.
- Effectiveness: It is designed to force safeties out of the run game and is often paired with play-action to maximize impact.
- Yankee Concept: A popular variation combining a deep post with a deep crossing route (often from the backside) to occupy both the corner and safety, often used to beat Cover 4.
- Protection: The concept works well with maximum protection or using a running back to check-release to the flat.
- Coverage Counters: While designed for two-high shells (Cover 2, Cover 4), it can be adapted against Cover 3, although it is less ideal if the cornerback has tight inside leverage.
Flood
Flood is a 3-level passing strategy designed to overwhelm one side of the field by placing three receivers at different depths (typically shallow, intermediate, and deep) to create a high-low read for the quarterback. It forces zone defenders into conflicts, making it a staple for attacking Cover 3 or Cover 4 defenses.
Key Points
- Structure: It usually involves a three-receiver combination on one side, such as a deep comeback/go route, a 12-15 yard out or “sail” route, and a flat route.
- The Goal: The offense aims to “flood” one area, giving the QB a simple read to pick the open man based on the defender’s movement.
- Read Progression: Typically, the quarterback reads high-to-low (deep to shallow), looking at the sideline defender’s movement.
- Variations: It can be executed from various formations (e.g., 3×1) and play types, including dropback, sprint-out, or bootleg action.
- Advantages: It creates a simple, high-percentage read for the quarterback, often leaves at least one receiver open against zone coverage, and can produce large gains.
- Disadvantages: It can be susceptible to man coverage, requires quick decision-making within 2-3 seconds to avoid sacks, and is less effective if the defense plays perfect “deep-to-short” zone drops.
- Examples:
- Y-Sail: A common version featuring a deep sideline route, a 12-yard “sail” route, and a flat route.
- Trips Flood: Running the concept using a 3×1 formation to overload one side.
- Play-Action Flood: Used frequently by offensive coordinators like Klint Kubiak in the Seattle Seahawks passing game to freeze linebackers.
Go
Go is a 3-receiver (trips) passing play, often used in the Run & Shoot offense, designed to stretch defenses vertically and horizontally for big plays. It features a mandatory outside release (MOR) vertical by the #1 receiver, a seam read by the #2 receiver, and a shoot/flat route by the #3 receiver.
Key Points
- Purpose: To attack Cover 2, Cover 4, or man-to-man defenses by placing a high-low stretch on the safety and corner.
- Route Structure (Trips side):
- #1 Receiver (Outside): Executes a Mandatory Outside Release (MOR) vertical route, attempting to take the top off the defense.
- #2 Receiver (Slot/Middle): Performs a “seam read.” If capped (safety over the top), they may break inside to a post; if not, they continue up the seam.
- #3 Receiver (Inside): Runs a “shoot” or “flat” route, aiming for the sideline about 3–4 yards deep to force the flat defender to choose between them and the deeper routes.
- Quarterback Progression: The QB reads the force defender (corner or safety) on the #3 receiver. If the defender jumps the flat route, the QB throws the seam. If the defender stays high, the QB hits the flat route.
- Backside: The lone receiver typically runs a vertical or a “choice” route (5-yard in/out/streak) depending on coverage.
- Variations
- Fade/Go: Sometimes used interchangeably, though a fade often implies working toward the sideline, while a Go is a pure vertical sprint.
- Bubble and Go: A variation where the receiver fakes a bubble screen before going deep, effective against aggressive defenders.
- Go and Out: Combines a deep vertical with an underneath out-breaking route.
Mills
Mills is a classic football passing play, popularized by Steve Spurrier in the 1990s, designed to beat two-high safety (Cover 4/Quarters) coverages. It utilizes a two-receiver combination on one side: a post route by the #1 (outside) receiver and a 10-12 yard dig route by the #2 (inside/slot) receiver. The dig route baits the safety, opening space for the post.
Key Points
- The Concept: A “Post-Dig” combination designed to put a defender in a high-low bind.
- Target Coverage: Primarily used against Cover 4 (Quarters) or 2-high safety looks to vacate the middle of the field.
- Route Assignments:
- Outside WR (#1): Runs a deep post (usually targeting the near hash).
- Inside WR (#2): Runs a 10-12 yard dig (in-breaking route), aiming to sit in the hole of the zone.
- Supplementary Routes: Often paired with a shallow cross from the opposite side or a running back swing/flat route.
- Goal: The dig route attracts the safety or hook-to-curl defender, clearing space behind them for the post route.
PA Boot
PA (Play Action) Boot is a passing play that mirrors an outside zone run, forcing defenders to commit to the run before the quarterback fakes the handoff and rolls out (boots) away from the flow to find open receivers. It is a high-efficiency concept designed for explosive plays by utilizing a flood route, combining deep, intermediate, and short options to attack defensive zones.
Key Points
- The Fake: The offensive line, running back, and quarterback sell an outside zone run (often to the left), causing defensive line and linebacker flow to that side.
- The Rollout: The quarterback hides the ball, rolls out away from the run action (to the right), and surveys the field.
- Core Routes (Flood Concept):
- Deep: A deep comeback, post, or “sail” route (12-15 yards).
- Intermediate: A crossing route (often from the opposite side) or a deep out.
- Short/Flat: A tight end or back releasing to the flat (arrow route).
- Progression: The quarterback typically reads low-to-high, starting with the flat route, moving to the intermediate crosser, and finishing with the deep route.
- Variations:
- Naked Boot: The quarterback rolls out without any lead blockers, relying on the fake to deceive defenders.
- Waggle: Similar to a bootleg, but typically involves pulling one or two guards to lead the quarterback.
- The “Slam” Route: A variation where a blocker initially fakes a block on the edge before releasing to the flat, creating a “void” in the defense.
- Quarterback Keeper: Given the mobility of modern QBs, if no receivers are open, the quarterback acts as their own checkdown and runs for positive yardage.
PA Slide
PA (Play Action) Slide is a high-efficiency passing play combining a zone-run fake with a quick pass to a receiver “sliding” across the formation into the flat. Often used as an RPO (Run-Pass Option), it forces defenders to commit to a run fake, leaving space for a short throw.
Key Points
- Action: The offensive line usually executes a “full slide” or zone-blocking scheme, with the QB faking a handoff to the running back, often in a zone-read action.
- The “Slide” Route: A receiver (often an H-Back or tight end) moves across the formation (often from the opposite side), slipping behind the offensive line to the flat.
- Reads: The QB reads the Edge defender (EMOL) or Outside Linebacker (OLB). If the defender crashes on the run, the QB pulls the ball and throws to the “sliding” receiver in the vacated space.
- Protection: The offensive line often shifts in one direction (slides) to create a pocket, sometimes with the running back “checking” for rushers before releasing.
- Variations: It can be run as a “Slide Naked” (bootleg) where the QB rolls out away from the slide action, or as a “Slide RPO”.
Portland
Portland is a passing play, similar to the Mills concept, designed to create deep-middle openings by combining a deep post route from one side with a dig (crossing) route from the other, often layered with a shallow cross or drag underneath to confuse zone defenders, especially against quarters coverage, by putting safeties in conflict. The QB reads if the safety bites on the dig to open the post, or if they cover the post, the dig or drag underneath becomes available.
Key Points
- Primary Routes: A deep post route (often from the outside receiver) and a deep dig/crossing route (often from the slot or inside receiver).
- Layering: A third route, like a shallow cross or drag (often from the backfield), is added to occupy underneath zone defenders (hook/curl defenders).
- QB Reads: The quarterback reads the safeties; if a safety drives up on the dig route, the post is open, but if the safety stays deep or covers the post, the dig or drag underneath becomes the target.
- Coverage Exploited: Particularly effective against quarters coverage (Cover 4) and Cover 2 zone, as it forces safeties to cover multiple levels of the field or run into conflict.
Shot Play
Shot plays are designed vertical passing concepts aimed at creating explosive plays (20+ yards), typically using play-action, max protection, and deep routes to exploit single-high safety coverage. Key examples include the Yankee concept (post/crosser), 4-verticals, and double moves to stretch the defense.
Key Points
- Purpose: To generate chunk yards by taking a “shot” downfield, usually on early downs when defenses expect a run.
- Mechanism: Often utilizes play-action to freeze linebackers, forcing safeties to choose between defending deep posts or intermediate crossing routes.
- Protection: Usually paired with max protection (7-8 blockers) or chip blocks to allow time for deep routes to develop.
- Common Concepts:
- Yankee: A 2-receiver combination featuring a deep post and a deep crosser from opposite sides.
- 4-Verticals: A standard concept modified to target specific safety alignment.
- Double Moves: Quick game concepts (slant, hitch) modified with a second move to go deep.
- Switch Verts: Manipulating receiver alignment to create rubs and open up deep passing lanes.
Verticals
Verticals is an offensive strategy designed to overload deep zone coverage by sending four receivers on vertical routes (fades, seams) to stretch the defense vertically and horizontally. It forces defenses to cover the full width and depth of the field, creating 1-on-1 matchups and exploiting safety positioning.
Key Points
- Goal: The primary objective is to attack deep zones, forcing safeties to make difficult decisions and opening up space for receivers.
- Structure: Typically, four receivers (or three + a running back) run vertical, “go” style routes, aiming for landmarks around 18-22 yards downfield.
- Variations by Coverage:
- Vs. Single-High Safety (Cover 1/3): The quarterback often reads the two seam routes against the middle-of-the-field safety.
- Vs. Two-High Safety (Cover 2/4): The #2 receivers (slot) may bend their routes inward to attack the seams, while #1 (outside) receivers stay outside.
- The “Bender”: In many versions, the #3 receiver in trips or a #2 receiver in balanced sets will “bend” their route into the open space, often in the middle of the field.
- Quarterback Reads: The QB generally reads the safeties’ leverage to decide which seam or outside route to throw.
