Quick-start plan
- Day 1 — Symbols & formations. Learn the glossary below and find each receiver spot's (X, Y, Z) alignment in all four formations.
- Day 2 — Run game. Learn the three run concepts (Power, GT Counter, Zone) and your block on each, whichever spot you play.
- Day 3 — Pass game. Learn the Purple concepts, especially the featured routes: the option route (Texas/Dive Pass) and Y-Cross.
- Day 4 — Test yourself. Take the quiz until you can score 100%.
Symbols & positions
| Q | Quarterback (red star) |
| 4 | Running back — the deep back, usually the primary ball carrier (dark teal star) |
| 3 / H | The second back — lines up offset and often goes in motion (purple in Ace/Blast/Trips, labeled H in Spread) |
| X | Outside receiver, typically the single/backside receiver |
| Y | Slot / flex receiver — tighter alignment, closer to the formation. |
| Z | Outside receiver on the other side |
| T G C G T | The offensive line: Tackle–Guard–Center–Guard–Tackle |
| Triangles (E, T, N, W, M, S, J, C, FS) | Defenders: End, Tackle, Nose, Will/Mike/Sam linebacker, Jack (hybrid edge), Corner, Free Safety |
| Pink/red highlighted defender | The 'read' key — the specific defender the QB (and sometimes you) is reading before deciding what happens next |
| Green highlighted circle labeled 'Pre-Snap' | Where that defender lined up before a shift or motion — compare it to where he ends up to figure out the coverage |
Play-name tags
| Rt/Lt | Every concept can be called to the right or left — same rules, just mirrored. Know your left from your right instantly. |
| Read | This play is an RPO (run-pass option). The QB reads a specific defender after the snap and decides run or pass based on what that guy does. |
| Purple | The tag for the passing game install (as opposed to Power / GT Counter / Zone, which are runs). |
| Numbers on routes (1, 2A/2B, 3) | The progression order for the QB's eyes, or the two options on an option route (A = one break, B = the other). |
| 1-step / 3-step / 5-step | How deep the QB drops before throwing. That's your timing clock: 1-step = get open fast (quick game), 5-step = you've got more time to work a deeper route. |
Motion glossary
| Kick Motion | A short jab-step motion that stays tight to the formation — usually turns that player into a lead/kick-out blocker. |
| Jet Motion | Full-speed motion across the formation at the snap. Threatens a sweep and forces the defense to declare who's covering it. |
| Crack Motion | A receiver motions in tight to crack-block down on an inside linebacker or edge defender, usually paired with a teammate replacing him outside. |
| Fly Motion | A receiver goes in motion vertically/deep as part of the play design — often clears space or sets up a fake. |
Keys to check on every single play
- Formation + Rt/Lt call = your side of the field and your alignment for that play.
- Run tag (Power / GT Counter / Zone) vs. pass tag (Purple) — runs need blocking, Purple needs routes.
- 'Read' in the name = it's an RPO. Watch the QB — if he pulls it, be ready for the ball.
- A motion word (Kick / Jet / Crack / Fly) tells you if that's your job this play, and what it means for you.
- On Purple plays, check the drop-step number — that's how much time you have before the ball needs to be there.
- Find the highlighted/starred defender — that's who's being read. Note his pre-snap spot so you can tell if he moved.
- Route numbers tell you the progression — lower numbers are usually the QB's first read.
Formation cheat sheet
| Formation | Alignment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | 2 backs, X/Z outside, Y in a tight slot | The base install — most concepts start here. |
| Spread | 2 backs (H flexed wider), X/Z outside, Y slot | Same rules as Ace, just a bit wider — more grass to work with. |
| Blast | Tight splits for everyone, 2 backs, used in tight-field/short-yardage situations | Physical, in-tight football. Everyone's close together. |
| Trips | X alone on one side, Y/Z/3 grouped as a 3-receiver 'trips' side | Built to overload one side of the defense. Y is usually the inside receiver of the trips group. |
Heads up: these sheets don't include a cover/legend page, so a few labels (like exactly what "3" vs "4" or "H" stand for)
are read from the diagrams themselves. Double-check terminology with the coach if anything here doesn't match what's said at practice.
Two backs (4 is the deep ball carrier, 3 is the extra back who usually goes in motion), X and Z split out wide, and Y lined up in a tighter slot just outside the tackle. This is the base personnel grouping — most of the playbook's concepts get installed here first.
1 Power (Rt/Lt) Kick Motion
▼
What's happening: 3 kick-motions (short jab step) across the formation to become a lead/kick-out blocker at the point of attack. 4 takes the handoff and follows the pulling linemen.
Y: Stalk-block the force defender (S) — hold your block until 4 declares his cut.
X: Release and stalk-block the corner over you.
Z: Release and stalk-block the corner over you on the backside.
2 Power (Rt/Lt) Read
▼
What's happening: Same power play, but now it's an RPO — the QB reads the unblocked edge defender (starred). If he crashes down on the run, the QB pulls it and throws a quick perimeter pass to Z instead.
Y: Same edge block — stay on it, the run has to look live for the RPO to work.
X: Stalk-block the corner; be ready, this is the constraint version of the same look.
Z: If the QB pulls the ball, expect a quick throw to you outside — be ready to catch and run immediately.
3 Power (Rt/Lt) Jet Read
▼
What's happening: Same read concept, but 3 now goes in full-speed Jet Motion instead of kick motion, adding a sweep threat.
Y: Block the edge/force defender just like the base Power play.
X: Stalk-block your corner.
Z: Stalk-block your corner; the jet motion behind you doesn't change your job here.
4 Power (Rt/Lt) Jet Pass
▼
What's happening: Off the same jet-motion look, this one's a pass. Z runs the vertical/go route (route 1), Y works underneath on a shorter route (route 2).
Y: Run the underneath crossing/flat route (route 2) — the quick, high-percentage option off the jet-pass look.
X: Stay in and protect the QB.
Z: Run the vertical route (route 1) — the shot play if the defense bites on the jet fake.
5 GT Counter (Rt/Lt) Kick Motion
▼
What's happening: Same idea as Power, but the line uses a Guard-Tackle counter scheme (pulling guard and tackle) instead of straight power blocking. 3 kick-motions across.
Y: Stalk-block the force defender.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Stalk-block the corner.
6 GT Counter (Rt/Lt) Read
▼
What's happening: RPO version of GT Counter — QB reads the unblocked edge defender post-snap.
Y: Hold your edge block; stay on it the whole play.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Be ready for a quick perimeter throw if the QB pulls it.
7 GT Counter (Rt/Lt) Jet Read
▼
What's happening: Counter-read concept with a full-speed jet motion by 3 added as another layer for the defense to account for.
Y: Block the edge/force defender.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Stalk-block the corner.
8 GT Counter (Rt/Lt) Jet Pass
▼
What's happening: Pass off the jet/counter fake — same route idea as Power Jet Pass: Z vertical (1), Y underneath (2).
Y: Run the underneath route (2) — your job is to be the safe, quick throw.
X: Stay in to protect.
Z: Run the vertical shot route (1).
9 Zone (Rt/Lt) Crack Motion
▼
What's happening: Zone running scheme. This time it's Y who goes in crack motion, blocking down inside on a linebacker, while 3 replaces Y on the perimeter as the force blocker (a crack-replace scheme).
Y: You're the crack blocker — motion in tight and block down on the first inside linebacker/edge defender you reach. This is Y's featured block in the zone series.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Stay outside and stalk-block; hold your ground on the backside.
10 Zone (Rt/Lt) Read
▼
What's happening: RPO version of zone — QB reads an edge defender (often the J/nickel) after the snap.
Y: Same crack-down block responsibility as the base Zone Crack Motion play.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Be ready — if the QB pulls it, a perimeter throw could come your way.
11 Zone (Rt/Lt) Jet Read
▼
What's happening: Zone-read with a full jet motion added for an extra layer of conflict for the defense.
Y: Crack-block down inside.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Stalk-block the corner.
12 Zone (Rt/Lt) Jet Pass
▼
What's happening: Pass off the jet/zone fake — Z runs vertical (1), Y runs underneath (2).
Y: Run the underneath route (2).
X: Stay in to protect.
Z: Run the vertical route (1).
13 Purple Texas
▼
What's happening: Quick-game pass. This is one of Y's signature routes: Y runs an option route, reading the leverage of the highlighted defender (labeled 2A/2B — break inside or outside depending on how he plays it).
Y: Your route — read the highlighted defender's leverage and break to the open side (2A inside / 2B outside). You're a primary read on this play.
X: Run the vertical/go route (deep shot).
Z: Run your vertical route (route 1) on the opposite side.
14 Purple Dive Pass
▼
What's happening: Quick pass off run-fake action. Same Y option-route idea as Purple Texas (2A/2B off the highlighted defender).
Y: Run your option route and read the same defender as Purple Texas.
X: Run the vertical route.
Z: Run the vertical/comeback route (route 1).
15 Purple 12
▼
What's happening: X and Z each run a double-move (route 1A into 1B) — this is a boundary shot play for the outside receivers.
Y: Stay in and pass protect — keep the pocket clean so the double-moves have time to develop.
X: Run your double move: 1A then break into 1B.
Z: Run your double move: 1A then break into 1B.
16 Purple 19
▼
What's happening: Mirror concept of Purple 12, with a pre-snap alignment shift by the corners to watch for before the same X/Z double-move routes.
Y: Pass protect.
X: Run your double move (1A into 1B).
Z: Run your double move (1A into 1B).
17 Purple Switchs
▼
What's happening: X and Z cross paths near the line (a 'switch release') before running their routes — this is designed to confuse man coverage.
Y: Pass protect while the switch release develops outside.
X: Switch-release, then run your route (vertical).
Z: Switch-release, then run your route (out/corner).
18 Purple Wheel
▼
What's happening: Off the switch-release look, 3 runs a wheel route up the sideline (starting shallow, then turning upfield) while X and Z run a dig and a post out of their switch releases.
Y: Pass protect (3-step drop — give it just a beat longer than the 1-step game).
X: Switch-release into a dig route.
Z: Switch-release into a post route.
19 Purple Fly Double Slant Arrow
▼
What's happening: X goes in fly motion (vertical release), while Y and Z run a quick slant-and-arrow combo underneath (labeled 2A/2B).
Y: Run your half of the slant/arrow combo (2A or 2B) — quick, get skinny and find the throwing lane.
X: Fly motion into a vertical release — clears space for the underneath combo.
Z: Run your half of the slant/arrow combo.
20 Purple Fly Under Double A's (Rt/Lt)
▼
What's happening: Same fly-motion idea, but Y and Z now run double slants into the A-gaps (great answer against a blitz).
Y: Quick slant into the A-gap — get it out fast, this is a blitz-beater.
X: Fly motion vertical release.
Z: Quick slant into the A-gap.
21 Purple Hitch & Go
▼
What's happening: X and Z run a hitch-and-go double move (1A/1B) reading the coaching cue 'bend against MOFO, don't cross midfield' — bend your route away from a single-high (open) safety. Y works a route off the Mike linebacker's drop underneath.
Y: Your route works off the Mike linebacker (route 2) — settle into the window he vacates.
X: Hitch, sell it, then go vertical — bend away from the safety if the middle of the field is open.
Z: Same hitch-and-go read on your side.
22 Purple Y-Cross
▼
What's happening: Y's marquee route in this playbook: a deep crossing route all the way from one side of the formation to the other, working underneath the safety. X runs a comeback, Z runs a shallow drag.
Y: This is your play. Push vertical to get the defender's hips turned, then break flat across the field underneath the safety — full-speed crosser, look for the ball once you clear the middle.
X: Run a comeback/hitch route.
Z: Run a shallow drag/crossing route underneath.
Same skeleton as Ace, but the second back (here labeled H) usually lines up a little wider/flexed instead of stacked in the backfield, spreading the defense out more. X, Y, and Z roles carry over directly from Ace.
1 Power (Rt/Lt)
▼
What's happening: Base power run — no motion, H is already aligned as the extra blocker.
Y: Stalk-block the force defender.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Stalk-block the corner.
2 Power (Rt/Lt) Read
▼
What's happening: RPO version — QB reads the unblocked edge defender.
Y: Hold your edge block.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Be ready for a quick perimeter throw if the QB pulls it.
3 Power (Rt/Lt) Motion Jet Read
▼
What's happening: H goes in jet motion; still an RPO off the edge defender's read.
Y: Block the edge/force defender.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Stalk-block the corner.
4 GT Counter (Rt/Lt)
▼
What's happening: Guard-tackle counter scheme, H leads through as the kick-out blocker.
Y: Stalk-block the force defender.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Stalk-block the corner.
5 GT Counter (Rt/Lt) Read
▼
What's happening: RPO version of counter.
Y: Hold your block; stay disciplined so the read stays live.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Be ready for a quick throw if the ball comes out.
6 GT Counter (Rt/Lt) Return Jet Pass
▼
What's happening: H fakes motion one way then returns — off that misdirection, it's a pass. Y and Z work routes underneath/vertical.
Y: Work an underneath route — you're the quick, high-percentage option.
X: Run a vertical/comeback route.
Z: Run a vertical/comeback route.
7 Zone (Rt/Lt)
▼
What's happening: Base inside zone run.
Y: Stalk-block your assigned defender.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Stalk-block the corner.
8 Zone (Rt/Lt) Read
▼
What's happening: RPO version of zone, reading an edge defender.
Y: Same block responsibility as base Zone.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Be ready if the ball comes out to the perimeter.
9 Purple Texas
▼
What's happening: Y's option route again — read the highlighted defender's leverage (2A/2B).
Y: Run your option route and read the highlighted defender — primary read on this play.
X: Run the vertical/go route.
Z: Run your vertical route.
10 Purple (Rt/Lt) Dive Pass
▼
What's happening: Quick pass off run-fake action, same Y option-route concept as Purple Texas.
Y: Run your option route (2A/2B).
X: Run the vertical route.
Z: Run the vertical/comeback route.
11 Purple 12
▼
What's happening: X/Z double-move shot routes (1A into 1B).
Y: Pass protect.
X: Run your double move.
Z: Run your double move.
12 Purple 19
▼
What's happening: Mirror of Purple 12 with a pre-snap alignment shift to watch for.
Y: Pass protect.
X: Run your double move.
Z: Run your double move.
13 Purple Switchs
▼
What's happening: X/Z switch-release routes to confuse man coverage.
Y: Pass protect.
X: Switch-release into your route.
Z: Switch-release into your route.
14 Purple Wheel
▼
What's happening: H runs the wheel route up the sideline; X and Z switch-release into a dig and a post.
Y: Pass protect (3-step drop).
X: Switch-release into a dig route.
Z: Switch-release into a post route.
The tightest personnel grouping in the playbook — X, Y, and Z all reduce their splits in close to the formation, with two backs (3 and 4) in the backfield. Used down near your own goal line / short-yardage territory in these diagrams, so think physical, in-tight football.
1 Power (Rt/Lt)
▼
What's happening: Straight power run from the tight split — everyone's blocking assignment is close to the formation.
Y: Block down on the defender lined up over/near you.
X: Block down on the defender over/near you.
Z: Stay outside and stalk-block your corner.
2 GT Counter (Rt/Lt)
▼
What's happening: Counter scheme from the same tight look.
Y: Block down on your assigned defender.
X: Block down on your assigned defender.
Z: Stalk-block the corner.
3 GT Counter (Rt/Lt) Z-Fly Motion
▼
What's happening: Z goes in full fly motion all the way across the formation before the snap — a nice way to see if the defense follows him or stays put, and the counter hits away from his motion.
Y: Block down on your assigned defender.
X: Block down on your assigned defender.
Z: Run the fly motion at full speed across the formation — sell it like you're getting the ball.
4 Purple Motion Boot Pass
▼
What's happening: Off run-fake action the QB rolls out (boots) away from the play call. X releases vertical, Y and Z work underneath/crossing.
Y: Work an underneath/crossing route in the boot direction — be a checkdown/flat option for the rolling QB.
X: Release vertical up the sideline in the direction of the boot.
Z: Work a route across the field as a secondary target.
5 Purple Dive Pass
▼
What's happening: Quick pass off run-fake action with multiple route options (numbered 1, 2A, 2B, 3) reading the second-level defenders.
Y: Run your numbered route and find the window based on the defender's leverage.
X: Run your numbered route.
Z: Run your numbered route.
6 Purple Wheel
▼
What's happening: Same wheel-route family as the other formations — a back or receiver wheels up the sideline while others clear out underneath.
Y: Run your assigned route in the combo — clear space or work underneath depending on the call.
X: Run your assigned route.
Z: Run your assigned route (often the wheel).
X is alone on the backside (a single receiver with no help), while Y, Z, and 3 group up together on the other side as a trips (three-receiver) look. This formation is built to overload one side of the defense — Y is usually the innermost of the trips group.
1 Power (Rt/Lt) Kick Motion
▼
What's happening: 3 kick-motions to become a lead blocker; power run scheme.
Y: Stalk-block your assigned defender inside the trips group.
X: Stalk-block the corner on the backside — you're on an island, no help.
Z: Stalk-block your assigned defender.
2 Power (Rt/Lt) Read
▼
What's happening: RPO version — QB reads the unblocked edge defender.
Y: Hold your block; stay on it.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Be ready — if the ball comes out, be a target on the perimeter.
3 Power (Rt/Lt) Jet Read
▼
What's happening: Jet-motion version of the same read concept.
Y: Block your assigned defender.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Block your assigned defender.
4 Power (Rt/Lt) Jet Pass Slarrow
▼
What's happening: Off the jet fake, it's a pass with a slant-and-arrow combo — routes numbered 1, 2, 3 across X/Y/Z.
Y: Run your numbered route in the slant/arrow combo — get skinny and find the window fast.
X: Run your numbered route.
Z: Run your numbered route.
5 GT Counter (Rt/Lt) Kick Motion
▼
What's happening: Counter scheme with kick motion from 3.
Y: Block your assigned defender.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Block your assigned defender.
6 GT Counter (Rt/Lt) Read
▼
What's happening: RPO version of counter.
Y: Hold your block.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Be ready for the ball on the perimeter.
7 GT Counter (Rt/Lt) Jet Read
▼
What's happening: Jet-motion counter-read.
Y: Block your assigned defender.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Block your assigned defender.
8 GT Counter (Rt/Lt) Jet Pass
▼
What's happening: Pass off the jet/counter fake — numbered routes 1, 2, 3.
Y: Run your numbered route.
X: Run your numbered route.
Z: Run your numbered route.
9 Zone (Rt/Lt) Kick Motion
▼
What's happening: Zone run scheme with kick motion.
Y: Block your assigned defender in the zone scheme.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Block your assigned defender.
10 Zone (Rt/Lt) Read
▼
What's happening: RPO version of zone.
Y: Hold your block.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Be ready for the ball on the perimeter.
11 Zone (Rt/Lt) Jet Read
▼
What's happening: Jet-motion zone-read.
Y: Block your assigned defender.
X: Stalk-block the corner.
Z: Block your assigned defender.
12 Zone (Rt/Lt) Jet Pass
▼
What's happening: Pass off the jet/zone fake — numbered routes.
Y: Run your numbered route.
X: Run your numbered route.
Z: Run your numbered route.
13 Purple Texas
▼
What's happening: Y's option route, reading the highlighted linebacker's leverage (2A/2B).
Y: Run your option route — primary read on this play, break to the side he leaves open.
X: Run the vertical/comeback route.
Z: Run your numbered route.
14 Purple Dive Pass
▼
What's happening: Same Y option-route idea off run-fake action.
Y: Run your option route (2A/2B).
X: Run the vertical/comeback route.
Z: Run your numbered route.
15 Purple 919
▼
What's happening: Route-combo package with a pre-snap alignment element to watch for before the snap.
Y: Run your assigned route in the combo.
X: Run your assigned route.
Z: Run your assigned route.
16 Purple Wheel
▼
What's happening: Wheel-route concept out of trips.
Y: Run your assigned route in the combo.
X: Run your assigned route.
Z: Run your assigned route (often the wheel).
17 Purple Dout Y-Cross
▼
What's happening: Y's featured deep crossing route again, with Z and 3 clearing space underneath/deep and X running a comeback on the backside.
Y: This is your play — push vertical, then break flat across the field underneath the safety. Full-speed crosser, find the throwing lane.
X: Run a comeback route on the backside.
Z: Clear out with your route to open space for the crosser.
Test yourself
Answer each question, then check yourself. Get through all of them to make sure the basics have stuck.