QB Pre-Snap Reads

1. QB Pre-Snap Reads Understanding Safeties, Boxes, and what it all means.

2. Pre-Snap Read Definition: A survey of the defense to determine the play / scheme that they are going to run. Objective: Identify their play to speed up the decision that we must make once the ball is snapped. Result: Allows us to better attack our opponents weaknesses and avoid their strengths forcing them to change their plans and giving us control.

3. Pre-Snap Reads • Every snap, the QB will identify pieces of information that will define the defense and allow us to “play fast”. They are: • Number of players in the “Middle” • Number of players “Box”

4. Defining the “Middle” • Where is the middle? • The middle of the field is the space behind the linebackers and to include the space behind our #2 and #3 receivers. • The middle is not “hash to hash”, but a space that might move depending on where we are on the field and our formation. • We are looking to identify the number of defenders or “safeties” in that zone (1 or 2)

5. Defining the “Middle”

6. Defining the “Middle”

7. Determining the Number of Safeties • Defenses cannot have more than 2 safeties without having major problems stopping the run. • Basically every defense that is run at any level has between 0 and 2 safeties. • Knowing the number of safeties helps us greatly narrow down the potential plays that the defense can run and helps us “play fast”

8. Determining the Number of Safeties • 0 Safeties (Called Black) = Cover 0 or Man. Expect blitzes. • 1 Safety (Called Gold) = Cover 1 or 3. Box number can vary from 6 to 8 (explained later). • 2 Safeties (Called Purple) = Cover 2, 4, or 20. Box number can vary from 5 to 7. • The following slides will show you a few examples of each.

9. 0 Safeties (“Black”) vs. Rip

10. 0 Safeties (“Black”) vs. Reo

11. 1 Safety (“Gold”) vs. Rip

12. 1 Safety (“Gold”) vs. Reo

13. 2 Safeties (“Purple”) vs. Reo

14. 2 Safeties (“Purple”) vs. River

15. Communicating the Number of Safeties • The QB will verbally and visibly communicate the “Middle” read to the rest of the team. Note: The ___ that follows the color will be filled with our box information.

16. Defining the “Box” • Where is the “Box”? • Width: The space between from tackle to tackle including the any attached backs / ends. • Depth: Extends from the ball to the heels of the deepest linebacker. • We are looking to identify the number of defenders in the box in order to know how important stopping the run is to that team. • We are expecting a number between 5 and 8.

17. Defining the “Box”

18. Defining the “Box”

19. Determining the # of Box Defenders • Defenses are telling us how important stopping the run is by how many players they put in the box. • The number of box players is connected to the number of safeties (see later slide). • Knowing the number of players in the box shows us where the space is and helps us “play fast”

20. Determining the # of Box Defenders • 5 players (Called 50) = Likely has 2 safeties and 3 line players. Meant to stop the pass. • 6 players (Called 60) = Likely has 1 safety. Could be 3, 4, or 5 man line. Considered to be balanced against run and pass. • 7 players (Called 70) = Likely has 2 safeties and at least 4 line players. Used to stop the run. • 8 players (Called 80) = Likely has 1 or 0 safeties. Used to shut down the run.

21. 5 Man Box: 3-2 Defense

22. 5 Man Box: 4-1 Defense

23. 6 Man Box: 3-3 Stack

24. 6 Man Box: 4-2 Defense

25. 7 Man Box: 4-3 Defense

26. 7 Man Box: 5-2 Defense

27. 7 Man Box: 3-3 Stack + Tuff Dog

28. 8 Man Box: 4-4 Defense

29. 8 Man Box: 5-3 Defense

30. Communicating the Number of Players in the Box • The QB will verbally communicate the “Box” read to the rest of the team. Note: The ___ that precedes the number will be filled with the middle color.

31. Decision Accelerators • The two reads that have already been outlined help us define much of what the defense is going to do. • Decision Accelerators are additional reads for the can give us additional information. • These include: • Corner Depth • Dog Leverage

32. Corner Depth • The “corner” is defined as the defender over the #1 receiver. • His depth can help define specific coverages. • Cover 2 vs. Cover 4 • Cover 3 vs. Cover 10 • 2 Basic Alignments: • On: Player is inside 6 yards depth or obviously playing man coverage. • Off: Player is 6+ yards depth or consistently bailing

33. “On” Corner

34. “Off” Corner

35. Dog Leverage • The “Dog” is the linebacker that is outside of the tackle on either side. • The alignment of the dog helps us better understand the goals of the defense and how they plan on addressing our different players / formations. • Many variations are possible and will be taught in further sessions.