The Shotgun Empty Base is designed to give the defense a different look. Most players on defense will think the offense is coming out in under center formations such as Singleback Slot. However, once the offense comes out of the huddle, the defense will be for a surprise as the quarterback is lined up in the Shotgun and the backfield is empty. The runningback lines up off the line of scrimmage in the left slot position. The tight end lines up to the right on the line of scrimmage in the inside slot position. Lined up next to the tight end are the slot and flanker. The SE lines up to the far right on the line of scrimmage. When running this formation, we may motion the runningback, slot, or flanker to help them beat bump-n-run man coverage.
Player Personnel:
1 HB
3 WR
1 TE
Formation Alignment:
3×2
Formation Style:
Spread
Packages:
Normal, HB Sub, Backup QB, WR Flip, Strong Slot, WR2 Slot RT, Str Slot Lt, 4WR, 5WR, Dual HB
Video Breakdowns:
Below we take a look a 8 plays from Shotgun Empty Base out of the Air Raid (Texas Tech) that we like to run.
Curl Flats
One of the simplest route combos in the game to attack zone coverage with in the game is the Curl Flats route combo. The Shotgun Empty Base – Curl Flats has this route combo ran on both sides of the field.
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Fk Screen Verts
The Shotgun Empty Base – FK Screen Verts has the runningback going in auto motion towards the right. By him doing that, it creates a 4×1 alignment. Instead of running the play as is, we are going to make a few adjustments to create the Four Verticals passing concept.
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Inside Cross
The Shotgun Empty Base – Inside Cross that has several options to throw to, depending on the pass coverage type. With receivers running pass routes at different levels, it makes very hard for the defense to defend.
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QB Draw
The Shotgun Empty Base – QB Draw spreads the defense out by having no backs lined up in the backfield. The defense will be expecting pass, allowing the quarterback to find open running lanes inside.
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Stick
On of our favorite passing concepts over the year’s has been the Stick concept. In this year’s game, the slot receiver’s can actually be hot routed to a stick route. In the video breakdown, we hot route the tight end on a stick route, effectively taken away his option route.
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Stick N Nod
The Shotgun Empty Base – Stick N Nod is a play that we mainly run against man coverage. In the breakdown, we look to throw to the tight end.
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Verticals Shake
The Shotgun Empty Base – Verticals Shake does an excellent job at attacking both man and zone coverage. The four vertical pass routes leave at least one receiver open against Cover 2 and Cover 3 coverage. The tight ends shake route, allows him to to beat man coverage.
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WR Mid Screen
The Shotgun Empty Base – WR Mid Screen is a play that we can make several adjustments with to attack various zone coverages in the game.
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