Pattern Reading

Understanding Vertical and Horizontal Stretch
by: Mark Miller
Secondary Coach
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This article is part two of a two part series. Part one was entitled: Landmarks: The Foundation of Zone Coverage. Pattern Reading serves three purposes for the defense. Defenses utilize a system of ‘Pattern Reading’ to get an early indicator of what type routes the offense is going to execute. It also serves to reduce the number of possible route combinations that the defense must anticipate and defend. Thus, maximizing the efficiency of how we leverage routes in zone pass coverage.

Stretch Principle

Diagram 1. Stretch Principle

The first aspect of pattern reading is teaching the fundamental principle of an offensive passing game, vertical and horizontal stretch. Offenses will stretch the defense vertically and horizontally three ways: by formation, the receiver’s releases and complementary route packages (See Diagram 1).

The cause and effect relationship of this principle is to understand that for every shallow route there is a deeper one behind it. We tell our players, “For every under, there is an over and for every over there is an under.”

Understanding Formations

Understanding formations is a three phase process: acknowledging the core, recognizing eligible receivers as well as their splits, formation identification and stress point recognition.

The Core

Diagram 2.Core of Formation

The initial aspect of understanding formations is to acknowledge the core of the formation. With eleven men on offense, the myriad of possible formations would be confusing. However, six offensive players are static, their alignment won’t change. The static part of offensive sets is the offensive line and the quarterback. As a general rule, the center will align over the football, the guards and tackles will assume two foot splits off of the center and each other respectively. Furthermore, the quarterback will align under the center or behind him in the shot gun. This is the ‘Core of the Formation’ (See Diagram 2).

Eligible Receivers

The ‘Core of the Formation’ has reduced the number of eligible receivers to five. Five offensive players can align anywhere they choose to create an offensive formation, as long as two of them are on the line of scrimmage, making seven men on the L.O.S. Moreover, if an eligible receiver aligns on the line of scrimmage outside of another eligible receiver, covering him up, that inside receiver is ineligible, and may not execute a route. These five players can attach themselves to the core as a TE or backs in the backfield, thus creating extra gaps to defend. They may also align out wide and set the perimeter, leaving only one back in the back field or no backs in the backfield. The key points to recognize is the location of the extra gap to defend, who and where the immediate vertical threats align. When identifying these eligible receivers, we assign them a number designation. We split the formation in half at the center and count from the outer most perimeter receiver toward the core, up to #3 (See Diagram 3).

Diagram 3.Eligibles

Analyzing WR Splits

The second aspect of understanding formations is to analyze wide receiver’s splits, where they are lining up. A receiver’s split refers to the width he has displaced himself from the core of the formation. This split dictates what type of route he is going to run, a type of vertical, an inside breaking route or an outside breaking route. It is further defined by the ball being placed in the middle of the field or on a hash mark.

Splits are identified in three general categories: normal, wide and tight. ‘Normal’ refers to where the receivers lined up most often, and may execute any facet of their offensive attack. ‘Wide’ refers to a split that is wider than normal, and ‘Tight’ being a split that is tighter than normal. Each category is defined by four criteria: the ball being placed in the middle of the field or on a hash, the type of formation, the most frequent routes executed from these specific alignments and run / pass relationships.

These split tendencies are defined during the off season video study. Every opposing offense is analyzed to determine the most frequent routes we defend, each split and at which point we can anticipate only inside breaking routes or only outside breaking routes. This process gives us the foundation for our off season application of applying split rules.

Each category of normal, wide and tight may have slight differences within each league (Pro, NCAA or high school), conference (SEC, Big 10, Big12, PAC 10, WAC etc.) or high school district. Definitely, each individual team will have specific split tendencies. If a receiver assumes a normal split, we must account for basic formation and situation tendencies. Furthermore, we must execute the fundamental leverage principle of the coverage called.

Against a basic 2 – Back formation, with the ball in the middle of the field, a displaced #1 receiver’s split is considered normal if he aligns on top of the numbers (See Diagram 4).

Diagram 4.M.O.F. Basic 'Normal' Splits

With the ball on a hash mark, there is a normal field split and a normal boundary split. A displaced #1 receiver’s split is considered normal if he aligns half-way between the top of the numbers and the hash. A displaced #1 receiver’s split into the boundary is considered normal if he aligns in the middle of the numbers (See Diagram 5).

Diagram 5.From Hash Basic 'Normal' Splits

Generally, twins and 3 x 1 types of formations are executed from a hash mark. The #1 receiver of a twins set is still considered to be normal if he aligns half-way between the top of the numbers and the hash mark. The #2 receiver of a twins set is considered normal if he aligns on the field hash mark (See Diagram 6).

Diagram 6. Twins 'Normal' Splits

3 x 1 formations dictate that the trips receivers adjust what is considered normal. The #1 receiver in a trips formation is considered normal if he aligns minus 1 yard inside the top of the field numbers. The #2 receiver of a trips set is considered normal if he aligns plus 1 yard outside the field hash. The #3 receiver of a trips set will be considered normal if he splits the difference between the #2 receiver and the offensive tackle (See Diagram 7).

Diagram 7. 3x1 'Normal'splits

Formation Identification & Stress Point Recognition

There are three basic types of formations: Pro – Sets, 1 – Back Sets and Empty Sets. By alignment, every formation presents specific ‘Stress Points’ on the defense. These stress points are areas where the offensive formation stretches the defense horizontally and the releases of the receivers determines the vertical stretch. They are areas where the defense can anticipate being attacked in the running game and the passing game. A Pro-Set is identified by three points. A Pro-Set is defined by two backs in the back-field, a TE and two displaced receivers on either side of the formation. For simplicity of this article, we will only define one type of pro set, I – Pro (See Diagram 8).

Diagram 8. Basic I-Pro Formation

Because of the presence of the tight end and two backs in the back field, the pro set is special. The presence of these three players attached to the core demands that the defense address the threat of a power running game. Typically, in the passing game, we can primarily anticipate play action, quick game and then drop back passes.

Theoretically, the stress point on the strong side of an I – Pro formation originates in the B – Gap and extends out to the #1 receiver at a depth of 8 to 14 yards. The weak side stress point originates in the B – Gap and reaches the seam at a depth of 8 to 14 yards. 1 – Back sets can be categorized into two sub groups: 2 x 2 formations and 3 x 1 formations. The removal of either the tight end or one of the running backs specifically decreases the likelihood of a power running game. Typically, in the passing game, we can anticipate quick game, drop back passes and bootleg types of passes. 2 x 2 formations are balanced (See Diagram 9).

Diagram 9. Basic 2x2 Formation

The stress point on either side of a basic 2 x 2 balanced formation originates in the B – Gap and extends approximately +2 yards outside the #2 receivers at a depth of 10 to 25 yards. Generally, the seams are the stress points of 2 x 2 formations. 3 x 1 formations are unbalanced and we can anticipate these types of formations against our balanced 8 – Man Front defenses (See Diagram 10).

Diagram 10. Basic 3x1 Formation

The stress point on the strong side of a 3 x 1 formation originates over the offensive tackle and reaches a point over the alignment of the #1 receiver approximately 8 to 14 yards deep. Specifically, the passing game stress point on the strong side originates over the #2 receiver and extends out over the #1 receiver at the same depth of 8 to 14 yards. The stress point on the weak side of the 3 x 1 formation is the seam. Empty formations are special in their own category. The only true threat of a running game is the quarterback draw. Generally, the type of formation is a 3 x 2 set. Although, in isolated situations, an offense will line up in a 4 x 1 set (See Diagram 11).

Diagram 11. Basic Empty Formation

Empty formations place an extreme horizontal stretch on the defense. They have the ability to run a shallow crosser across the formation while still pushing two verticals up each seam. Shallow crossers are usually caught in the no cover zone along the same location as a seam. The seams remain the stress point of basic empty formations. However, theoretically, the threat of a receiver releasing directly up the middle of the field, widens each seam by approximately two yards. Understanding offensive formations and displaced receiver’s splits is a vital part of defensive football. The examples listed in this article are general formation and split tendencies. Specific tendencies are broken down by league, conference and team.

Receiver Releases

We have introduced the concept of the ‘Stretch Principle’. Also, we identified offensive formations and the receiver’s splits within those formations. Now, we can analyze the receiver’s releases. There are six possible receiver releases. However, for simplification purposes, we categorize them into three groups: Basic Pass Releases, Special Release and Quick Indicator Releases.

There are three Basic Pass Releases: A ‘Vertical Release’ being straight down field and defined when the receiver gets even with or behind the linebackers. An ‘Inside Release’ defined as shallow and toward the core of the formation. Finally, an ‘Outside Release’, which is shallow and away from the core of the formation (See Diagram 12).

Diagram 12. 3-Basic Pass Releases

One Special Release is a reverse release. This is defined as inside and underneath the core of formation toward the backfield (See Diagram 13).

Diagram 13. I-Special Release (Reverse)

Generally, a tighter split is utilized during a reverse type of release. #2 – Quick Indicator releases are identified as a ‘Bubble’ and a ‘Block’. The ‘Bubble’ is when a displaced #2 or #3 receiver releases with depth and width behind the line of scrimmage away from the core. A ‘Block’ release is identified by the receiver’s engagement of a defender and low hat drive off of the line of scrimmage. Typically, any outside flow from the back field is a potential threat of a crack block (See Diagram 14).

Diagram 14. 2-Quick Indicator Releases

These releases can be identified within 2 to 3 steps by the receiver off of the line of scrimmage. We must recognize their departure angle and speed off of the line of scrimmage.

The Significance of Release Types

This is the application process of understanding the significance of the ‘Stretch Principle’. ‘Pattern Reading’ is the cause and effect relationship of the overall knowledge of formations, splits and releases.

The relationship between vertical and horizontal stretch implies that the routes of the receivers work in conjunction with one another creating complementary route packages. The vertical and horizontal stretch of these route combinations work together to create throwing windows for the quarterbacks to place the ball down field. Again, “for every under there is an over.” In accordance with the fundamental principle of defending routes from the inside out, the initial key in the pattern reading process is the #2 receiver to each side of the formation. The release of the #2 receiver will determine the possibilities of what type of route the #1 receiver will execute.

There are 3 – Basic Pass Releases to read from the #2 receiver: Vertical, Inside and Outside. A ‘Vertical’ release by the #2 receiver is identified as a straight drive off of the line of scrimmage that declares once he gets even with or past linebacker depth. This release has declared itself as the vertical stretch. Therefore, the #1 receiver will most likely run a shallow route to serve as the horizontal stretch (See Diagram 15).

Diagram 15. Vertical Release by #2

Overall, there are four routes from #1 receiver that a defense must defend when #2 pushes vertical: Hitch = 27%, Fade = 24%, Curl = 15% and In = 10%. Moreover, if #1 runs a hitch route, 80% of the time #2 is going to execute a Flag. Three of the top four routes are inside cuts. Therefore, when #2 releases vertically, we must anticipate and plan to leverage the Curl, Hitch and In routes. An ‘Inside’ release by the #2 receiver is identified as any drive off of the line of scrimmage toward the core of the formation and underneath linebacker depth. This release has declared itself as the horizontal stretch. Accordingly, the #1 receiver will most likely execute a deeper route to serve as the vertical stretch (See Diagram 16).

Diagram 16. Inside Release by #2

Overall, when #2 executes an inside release, 73% of the time the #1 receiver is also going to run an inside cut: Slant = 25%, Curl = 24%, In = 15% and Smash = 10%. All four of the top route possibilities are inside cuts. Thus, when #2 executes an inside release, the defense must anticipate and leverage these inside cuts by #1. An ‘Outside’ release by the #2 receiver is identified as a drive off of the line of scrimmage away from the core of the formation and underneath linebacker depth. This release has declared itself as the horizontal stretch. Thus, the #1 receiver will most likely execute a deeper route to serve as the vertical stretch. A key point to emphasize is to consider any outside release as a ‘fade’ or ‘wheel threat.’

Overall, when the #2 receiver executes an outside release, 63% of the time the #1 receiver will run an inside cut: Curl = 80% and Slant = 17%. The top four routes that the #1 receiver tends to execute are: Curl = 50%, Flag = 20%, Fade = 15% and Slant = 11%. 63% of the time anticipating an inside cut by the #1 receiver and 80% of those inside cuts being curl routes, this is the first route we want to anticipate and plan on leveraging. Thus, if #2 goes out, look for #1 coming back in (See Diagram 17).

Diagram 17. Outside Release by #2

Conclusion:

All of the tendencies stated in this article are general concepts and principles within the game of football. The specifics listed within the aforementioned percentages are the results of playing for and working with three different offensive coordinators and the conscientious video study of every offensive opponent’s passing attack over a five year period in the Southeastern Conference and the Sun Belt Conference. Literally, three different play books and thousands of plays in the video evaluation are the foundation for the data.

Pattern Reading involves the understanding of cause and effect relationships. Understanding these relationships, allows a defense to execute in the most efficient manner possible, thus, making the defense as productive as possible. These are fundamental concepts and principles. Defensively, we must acknowledge that every individual opponent is going to have their own personal tendencies. Accordingly, we must defend each team individually.

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