Bunch Formation Chase Route Concept

Here is a 5 Step passing concept from a bunch formation designed to create an interior triangle read for the QB.

The route progression for the QB is:

Peek the Vertical (X)

1. Chase Route (S)

2. Dig Read (Y)

3. Drive Read (Z)

The Peek is a pre-snap read used vs. a press man look.

The QB can throw the outside release vertical to the X as a 1 on 1 winner route. If the QB likes the matchup he can take it, otherwise he follows his normal route progression.

The post-snap read progression is an interior triangle read.

The first route in the progression is the S on chase route. The S is letting the Z & Y clear while selling a flat route. The chase route is three hard steps outside, plant, and angle into MOF chasing the Drive route. The chase route is climbing to a depth of 5 yards.

If the inside linebackers drop with depth the chase route should be open.

The second route in the progression is the Y on the dig read route. The Y should take an outside release and break to the dig at 10-12. The Y is reading for open space to settle and square his numbers to the QB. If there is a zone dropper underneath; the Y will keep working inside until there is open space to settle. If there is a player running with the dig in man; the Y will keep running across. The Y does not settle the route vs. man coverage.

If the ILB takes an angle to cover the chase route; the dig should be open.

The third route in the progression is the Z on the drive read route. The Z is releasing at the heels of the DL and gaining ground. As the drive crosses the Center; the Z is reading the flat defender. If the flat defender is wide, the Z is squaring this shoulders and showing his numbers to the QB. On the away side the X is running an outside release vertical. Against press coverage the X will run a vertical and must be ready for the peek throw from the QB. If there is no press coverage; the X will turn the vertical into a comeback at 10-12 yards. The comeback is there is force the flat defender to widen.

Here the ILB’s take angles to take away both the Chase and Dig routes. The Z is reading on the drive route. In this example the FS is inverting to the flat. The X runs the comeback to force the FS to widen. The Z will settle in area of the OT. The max depth is 5 yards.

Here the flat defender is the Corner. Again the Z will settle & square in area of the OT.

Here the flat defender is the ILB expanding. Again the Z will settle & square in area of the OT.

If the flat defender does not expand to cover the comeback; the Z will keep running. If there is a player running with the drive in man; the Z will keep running across. The Z does not settle the route vs. man coverage. The Z will also keep running if any zone defender attempts to match up. If it feels like man coverage treat it like man coverage.

The A back is running a swing to widen the flat defender to the bunch and is not part of the read progression. While not part of the read; the A back must be ready for the ball in a hot throw situation. Against pressure the QB can throw the peek vertical to the X if he likes the matchup. The other hot option is to throw the swing route to the A back.

Adjustments

The route can easily be run from a 2x2 motion look.

Here the same concept from a 4x1 empty; forces the defense to handle and inside bunch and waste a coverage player on the A back. The A can run any route that forces the flat defender to cover him.

The route can be run from 3x2 empty as well. The A runs vertical to clear out space and take the top off the coverage.

Another option is to run the route from a 3x1 formation with the A back running the chase route. This can be an easy way to get the A back involved in the passing game.

In all of the adjustments the QB has the same interior triangle read.