“4” Route Directory PREVIOUS

SLIDE
ILLUSTRATIONS/EXAMPLES (All versions)

Base Route
INTRODUCTION/PHILOSOPHY
INSTRUCTIONAL
“YOU DRAW IT”

VIDEO (2 Receiver Version)

VIDEO (3 Rec #1) VIDEO (3 Rec #2)

VIDEO (Pocket) FANCY SHOOTIN’

“Utah” Variation
INSTRUCTIONAL
Main Summary
Menu
VIDEO: 2 Rec VIDEO: 3 Rec w/ ‘LATE’ Table
 4 Philosophy

4 Route:
“FLAT”
•The 4 route is an ATTITUDE play! That means that we are
going to impose this play on the defense and make it work
regardless of what the defense does!
•This play takes advantage of the fundamental mismatch
between an inside receiver and a LB/SS, isolating him, then
breaking away from underneath coverage with room to run
after the catch.
•The other frontside receivers play critical roles! The outside man must recognize if
his CB is falling off him to cover the Flat route and exploit the “Pocket” for big plays if
he does! The middle receiver must create an effective rub/barrier to help the Flat get
open, then look for an open crease in the Seam!
•Again, we can literally use this route anywhere on the field, but it will be particularly
emphasized for sure completions on 1st down, to move the chains on 3rd & 6 or less,
going into the End zone, and even as a “4 minute” possession pass to protect leads!

KEYS to a successful play: TAGS/VARIATIONS

•The man running the Flat must gain outside leverage, and must •Utah!
work vertically before sticking his man! •Motion to, motion away, “Crazy”
•The QB must throw on time & in such a way that the Flat can run! •“Solid” protection from 23 pkg.
•Frontside middle and outside receivers must do their jobs well to •Squeeze concept & Stacks!
exploit big-play opportunities when defenders overreact to the flat!
- t o M A I N D I R E C T O R Y -- t o I N S T R U C T I O N A L -
 4 Instructional

4 ROUTE: FLAT

## S S
MUST attack short
defender’s outside leg!
C C
4-6 yd
V V

O O
I I M If a squat C leaves
you, settle into the
Then, BEAT him. Drumroll ‘Pocket’ behind
feet, lean on him & stick him him away from S
if he’s tight.
“64” Shown
Backside on 5th step
BS OUTS: GO READ.READ. Normal even-numbered backside rules. Be decisive, NEVER come inside the hash!
BS INS: SEAM READ.
READ. Normal even numbered backside rules. Pre-read safety, attack and be decisive!
FS INS:
INS: FLAT.
FLAT. You MUST capture the outside shoulder of the widest short defender & break flat at 4-6 yards, or
whenever you get the leverage you want. Snap flat out of your break & expect ball early. Drumroll your feet, push vertical,
and/or lean on him prior to your break if he’s pressed & hip to hip with you. If you get within 5 yd of sideline without ball,
turnMID:
FS up sideline!
SEAM/THIN.
SEAM/THIN. #1 job is to pin/rub off the short defender over you…attack outside his outside hip, don’t be in a
hurry to clear him. Once past, accelerate up the Seam, bending to a “THIN” Post if the near safety crosses your face.
FS OUTS: GO ‘POCKET’.
‘POCKET’. Outside release C and run him off. If he’s squat & you feel him leave, settle in the “Pocket’
behind
QB: Pre-snap alert for a rolled CB. 3-step progression to Flat on time, alert for POCKET v. rolled CB. 5-step progression to
backside Seam Read, backside Go Read outlet.
- C l I c k h e r e t o r e t u r n t o M A I N
 4 You Draw It

Split Rex 64 Solid v. Cov 0 Right Slot Z11 Firm 74 v. Cov 1

J
J
C
C M S R C W S
C
W E T T E E T N T R E

J
R J
C M Z C C C
R S M W
DE N
N E E T T E

H6 64 v. Cov 2 Slip Hot 74 v. Cov 3

- C l I c k h e r e t o r e t u r n t o M A I N
 Utah Instructional

“UTAH” tag

J
C

“74 Utah” Shown 61 “Utah” Shown

•Tells inside receiver on the frontside to fake his normal route and break up
the sideline after showing his hands.
•Also tells all frontside receivers middle or outside to run a Thin Post, IF
their normal route would get in the way of the Utah!
•If your normal frontside route wouldn’t get in the way of the ‘Utah’ up the
deep sideline, don’t change anything!

- C l I c k h e r e t o r e t u r n t o M A I N
 4 ROUTE
ILLUSTRATIONS
-T o 4 R o u t e M A I N D I R E C T O R Y -

BA SE R OU TE BA SE R OU TE “ HOT”
(2 X 2) (3 X 1) VERS ION S
3. Base 64 • Trips Right 64 (3 X 2)
4. Y Crazy 64 • H6 64 3. Stack Scat Hot 64
5. Right Out 64 • H6 64 Slow 4. Squeeze R10 Hot 6
6. Lex Under H8 64• Ray Under H6 64 5. Stack R11 Hot 74
7. Y8 64 • Right Out H6 64 6. Bunch Lt Scat Hot
8. Base 64 “Dagger” • Right Out H10 64
• Right Wing 64
9. Stack Stud 64 Slow “ UTA H” CALL
10. Base 74 • Bunch Right 64
11. Right Slot 74 • Trips Left 74 2. Base 64 Utah
• Trips Left Y Crazy 74
12. Right Wide Flip 74 3. Trips Rt
13. Right Out H9 74 • Y7 74 64 Utah
• Slug Y7 74 4. Right Out 74 Utah

Q
14. Ray Over H9 74
• Y11 74
15. Stack Slug 74 Slow 5. H Crazy 74 Utah
• Bunch Left 74

MAX • West H Short 74 6. Trips Lt 74 Utah

• Bruin Warm 74
PAS S ME NU 4 ROUTE DI RE CT ORY
2 BASE 64
0
GO READ SEAM GO
READ POCKET
1 # #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
H Y
•Top #s •Top #s
•Hash +2 •OT +3
R
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step: Flat 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 Y CRAZY 64
0
GO READ SEAM GO
READ POCKET
1 # #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
H Y
•Top #s •Top #s
•Hash +2
R
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step: Flat 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 RIGHT OUT 64
0
GO READ SEAM
READ GO
1 # POCKET
5
# #
#
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Y
H Z
•Top #s
•Hash +2 •Top #s
R
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step: Flat 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 LEX UNDER H8 64
0
GO READ SEAM GO
READ POCKET
1 # #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

Y Z
X •Hash +2 •OT +4 •Top #s
•Top #s
H
QB THOUGHT PROCESS R
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step: Flat 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 Y8 64
0
GO READ SEAM GO
READ POCKET
1 # #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
H Y
•Top #s •OT +4 Square
•Hash +2 up

QB THOUGHT PROCESS R •Top #s

Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step: Flat 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 BASE 64 DAGGER
0 SEAM: GO
•Outside release POCKET
•Must clear safety
1 # 14 #
5 “SPEED”
# DIG: #
DIG •Come
UNDER the
1 1 Seam
0 0 •“Run
around the FLAT
corner”
5 •Don’t lose
speed/chop
Burst
feet v. Off
release
v. Press

X Z
H Y
•Mid #s •Top #s
•Hash +2 •OT +3
R
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step: Flat 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 SLOW
0
GO SEAM GO
READ READ POCKET
1 # #
5
# #

1
0
FLAT
“SLOW”
5 Stairstep
v. Man v. Off
4- Settle if
runway closed
6
X Z
H: Nod
outside, avoid H R Y
jam
•Hash +2 •OT +4
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step: Slow to 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
Flat
2 BASE 74
0
GO SEAM READ GO READ
POCKET
1 # #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
H Y
•Top #s •Top #s
•OT +3 •Hash +2

R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
3rd step: Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 RIGHT SLOT 74
0
GO SEAM READ GO READ
POCKET
1 # #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Y
H Z
•Top #s
•Top #s
R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
3rd step: Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 RIGHT WIDE FLIP 74
0
GO SEAM READ GO READ
POCKET
1 # #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Y
Z H
•Top #s
•Top #s
R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
3rd step: Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 RIGHT OUT H9 74
0
GO SEAM READ GO READ
POCKET
1 #
5
# #
# 8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

•OT +4 X Y
H Z
Square
up •Top #s
R
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
3rd step: Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 RAY OVER H9 74
0
GO SEAM READ GO READ
POCKET
1 #
5
# #
# 8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

•OT +4 X Z
Y
Square •Top #s
up •Hash +2
H

R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
3rd step: Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 SLOW
0
GO SEAM READ GO READ
POCKET
1 # #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5 SLOW
v. Off
Settle if
Stairstep v. Man runway closed

X Z Y: Nod
R
H Y outside, avoid
•OT +4 jam
•Hash +2
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
3rd step: Slow to
Flat
th
2 TRIPS RT 64
0
GO READ RUB TO GO
SEAM POCKET
1 # READ #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
Y H
•Top #s •Top #s
•OT +3•1/2way -2
R
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick back
3rd step: Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
to BS
2 H6 64
0
GO READ RUB TO GO
SEAM POCKET
1 # READ #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
H Y
•Top #s •Top #s
•OT +3Square
up
R
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick back
3rd step: Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam to 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
BS
2 H6 64 SLOW
0
GO READ RUB TO GO
SEAM POCKET
1 # READ #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
“SLOW”
5 Stairstep
v. Man v. Off
Settle if
runway closed
X Z
H Y
•Top #s •Top #s
•OT +3Square
up
QB THOUGHT PROCESS R
Drop: Tight U/Kick back
3rd step: Slow to
Flat
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam to
BS
2 RAY UNDER H6 64
0
GO READ RUB TO GO
SEAM POCKET
1 # READ #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
Y
•Top #s •Top #s
•OT +3Square
up
H
QB THOUGHT PROCESS R
Drop: Tight U/Kick back
3rd step: Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam to 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
BS
2 RIGHT OUT H6 64
0
GO READ RUB TO
SEAM GO
1 # READ POCKET
5
# #
#
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Y
H Z
•Top #s Square
up •Top #s

QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step: Flat 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 RIGHT OUT H10 64
0
GO READ RUB TO
SEAM GO
1 # READ POCKET
5
# #
#
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Y
Square
H Z up
•Top #s
•Top #s

QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step: Flat 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 RIGHT WING 64
0
GO READ RUB TO
SEAM GO
1 # READ POCKET
5
# #
#
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Y
H Z
•Top #s
•Top #s
R
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick back
3rd step: Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
to BS
2 BUNCH RT 64
0
GO READ RUB TO GO
SEAM POCKET
1 # READ #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X H
Y Z
•Top #s
•OT +3
R
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick back
3rd step: Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
to BS
2 TRIPS LEFT 74
0
GO GO READ
POCKET
1 # #
5
# RUB TO SEAM READ #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
Y H H
•Top #s •Top #s
•1/2way -2•OT +3
R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step:
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam
2 74
0
GO GO READ
POCKET
1 # #
5
# RUB TO SEAM READ #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
Y
Y H H
•Top #s •Top #s
•1/2way -2•OT +3
R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step:
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam
2 Y7 74
0
GO GO READ
POCKET
1 # #
5
# RUB TO SEAM READ #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
H Y
•Top #s Square •Top #s
up •OT +3

R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step:
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam
2 SLUG Y7 74
0
GO GO READ
POCKET
1 # #
5
# RUB TO SEAM READ #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
H R Y
•Top #s Square •Top #s
up •OT +3

QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step:
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam
2 Y11 74
0
GO GO READ
POCKET
1 # #
5
# RUB TO SEAM READ #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

Square X Z
up H Y
•Top #s •Top #s
•H+4 •OT +3

R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step:
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam
2 BUNCH LEFT 74
0
GO GO READ
POCKET
1 # #
5
# RUB TO SEAM READ #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

Y Z
X H
•Top #s
•OT +3

R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step:
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam
2 WEST H SHORT 74
0
GO
POCKET SEAM READ
1 # No Thin Post #
5
# RUB TO #
SEAM READ

1
0
FLAT
•Must be
5 patient!
v. Off •Don’t
break until
rub man
clears!
X Y
Z H
Square
•Top #s up

R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step:
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam
2 BRUIN WARM 74
0
GO
POCKET GO READ
1 #
5
# RUB TO SEAM READ #
#
1 8
0
-10
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Y
“Warm” Z
Y R
•Top #s BS TE blocks!
•1/2way -2•OT +3 •Top #s

QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step:
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam
2 STACK SCAT HOT 64
0
GO SEAM GO
READ READ – No POCKET
RUB to
1 # Thin Post SEAM READ
#
5
# #

1
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
H: Nod
outside, avoid H R Y
jam “I’m
•Hash +2
inside”•OT +6
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step: Slow to 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
Flat
2 64
0
GO READ SEAM GO
READ POCKET
RUB to
1 # SEAM READ #
5
# #
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z
H Y
Square
•Top #s up
•Hash +2 •OT +3 •Top #s

QB THOUGHT PROCESS R
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step: Flat 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
5th step/kick: Pocket (v. 2) to
2 STACK R11 HOT 74
0
GO SEAM READ GO READ
POCKET
1 # RUB to
#
5
# SEAM #
READ
8
1 -10
0
FLAT
5
v. Off

X Z Y: Nod
Square H Y outside, avoid
up
•Top #s •OT +4 jam
•Hash +2
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
R
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
3rd step: Slow to
Flat
th
2 DAGGER
0 SEAM:
GO •Outside release
POCKET •Must clear safety
1 # #
5 1
# RUB TO DIG: #DIG
SEAM READ •Come 4
UNDER the
1 Seam 1
0 •“Run 0
around the
FLAT corner”
5 •Don’t lose
v. Off speed/chop Burst
feet release
v. Press

Y Z
X H Y
•Mid #s
•OT +3 •Hash +2

QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: Tight U/Kick
back
3rd step:
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Flat
5th step/kick: Pocket (2) or Seam
2 BASE 64 UTAH
0
GO READ SEAM THIN
READ POST
1 # Stay outside
#
5
# of hash; split #
CB & J
8
1 -10
0
UTAH
5

Look!
Show hands!
X Z
H Y
•Top #s •Top #s
•Hash +2 •OT +5
R
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: 5 angle pop-up;
PUMP
Key: CB: Utah if collapses, 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
Backside Seam to Go
2 TRIPS RT 64 UTAH
0
GO READ THIN
POST
1 # INSIDE Stay outside
#
5
# POST of hash; split #
through CB & J
8 JACK’S FAR
1 -10
0 SHOULDER

UTAH
5

Look!
Show hands!
X Z
Y H
•Top #s •Mid #s
•OT +5•1/2way -3
R
QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: 5 angle pop-up;
PUMP
Key: CB: Utah if collapses, 4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TA
Thin Post to Inside
2 RIGHT OUT 74 UTAH
0
SEAM READ GO READ
THIN
1 # POST #
5
# #
Stay outside
of hash; split 8
1 -10
CB & J
0

5
UTAH
Look!
Show hands!
X Y
H Z
•Mid #s
•OT +5 •Top #s
R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: 5 angle pop-up;
PUMP
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Key: CB: Utah if collapses,
Backside Seam to Go if
2 H CRAZY 74 UTAH
0
SEAM READ GO READ
THIN
1 # POST #
5
# #
Stay outside
of hash; split 8
1 -10
CB & J
0

5
UTAH
Look!
Show hands!
X Z
H Y
•Mid #s •Top #s
•OT +5 •Hash +2

R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: 5 angle pop-up;
PUMP
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Key: CB: Utah if collapses,
Backside Seam to Go if
2 TRIPS LEFT 74 UTAH
0
GO READ
THIN
1 # POST INSIDE
#
5
# POST #
Stay outside through
of hash; split JACK’S FAR
8
1 -10
CB & J SHOULDER
0

5
UTAH
Look!
Show hands!
X Z
Y H H
•Mid #s •Top #s
•1/2way -3•OT +5
R QB THOUGHT PROCESS
Drop: 5 angle pop-up;
PUMP
4 RTMENU PREVSLIDESUMM TABLE
Key: CB: Utah if collapses,
Thin Post to Inside Post