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”

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. Number of Safeties Verbal CommunicationVisible Communication 0 “Black __” to the right, “Black __” to the left Hands visibly at the QB’s side through the verbal signal 1 “Gold __” to the right, “Gold __” to the left One hand making a signal as “Gold __” is being said 2 “Purple __” to the right, “Purple __” to the left Both hands make a signal as “Purple __” is being said 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”

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. Number of PlayersVerbal Communication 5 “__ 50” to the right, “__ 50” to the left 6 “__ 60” to the right, “__ 60” to the left 7 “__ 70” to the right, “__ 70” to the left 8 “__ 80” to the right, “__ 80” to the left 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.