The basic idea is to create a triangle over the ball, using a drag runner, and deeper route in the middle, and an outlet.
In its standard form, the two outside receivers will be used to discourage perimeter defenders from helping thier buddies inside, keeping an advantageous ratio for the offense. "DRIVE," seen in the first diagram below, will feature the middle route and the drag route coming from the same side. "CROSS," as the term might describe, features the middle route (more on this in a bit) and the drag route coming from opposite sides of the formation.
Tagged Receiver -- execute a drag route. 4 yard split. "Stair step" any tight man defender. Key the far linebacker; if he blitzes or takes a drop that allows you to get to the backside flat, stay on the move and look for the ball. If he expands, pivot to a stop outside the offensive tackle area. We can tag ANYONE to run the drag.
Inside Receiver -- execute an "IN" route on DRIVE and a "SNAG" route on CROSS. As you are releasing up the field, peek at the near LB to tell you which window you will need to get to. An IN route must stick at the top of the stem to create separation; a SNAG starts as a crossing route, then pivots back to the side it came from.
* When teaching initially, we tell the inside receivers "One of you has the drag, the other has the middle route. If we tell an outside receiver to drag, we will tell one of you what to run (Ex. 76 Z Drive A Clear).
**The purpose of the SNAG route is to create the exact same relationship for the QB as his eyes move from the drag to the next route in the progression. Simply having an IN route come from the other side really doesn't accomplish this.
Outside Receivers:
Playside -- If the drag is coming to you, execute a comeback. Versus a "cloud" (Cover 2) corner, it converts to a BURST FLAG.
Backside -- If the drag is going away from you, execute a 7 step quick post. As we add variations to this package, and we tell someone else to "go deep" (ex. A Clear, B Wheel), you will run a 5 yard UNDER, which is basically a 5 yard IN route.
Protection Receivers -- Check your protection reponsibility, and then run a stop route 3 yards deep and 3 yards outside the offensive tackle. We will always check you away from where the drag route is going.
Quarterback -- "Quick 7- step" drop from under center, or "Quick 5- step" drop from gun. The basic progression is:
- Throw the drag in rhythm (Rhythm is defined as timed with the last step of your assigned drop)
- Hitch to the middle route (IN or SNAG)
- Hitch to the STOP route by the back
The outside recievers are there to protect the pattern. The GLANCE provides another quick rhythm throw vs. blitz. The COMEBACK provides an "advantage player" to protect from a defender collapsing on the drag route from the outside- in.
We tell the QB to move his eyes slightly before his feet as he hitches up and moves to the next receiver in his progression. As he does this, he is to anticipate the next throw, preparing his feet and arm, with his eyes telling him not to. Just as a batter begins his swing with every pitch, and then stops his swing if a pitch is not to his liking, so should a passer -- beginning his motion in anticipation of the next throw...