2. This is a standard Playcard.
The black line represent the line of scrimmage.
The X’s at the top is how where the binding rings go
when the playcard is added to the playbook.
The white box is where the name of the play goes.
The numbers on the sides are approximate yardage
markers.
Introduction
3. Playcards come in several colors:
Core
Goal line
Trick
Short
Playcard Color Coding
4. Positions are represented by a blue box
with the position name (letter) inside.
A red box indicates the player receiving
the snap.
Offensive Player Positions
5. Alignments for each play are depicted on
the playcards.
Offensive alignments vary drastically from
play to play. Always pay attention to the
starting position.
Our Common Alignments:
Normal Spread Bunch
Offensive Alignments
6. Routes come in several colors:
◦ Black is a decoy route.
◦ Red is a secondary route.
◦ Green is a primary route.
◦ Purple is an alternative execution
route.
Route Color Coding
7. Not all of a routes design can be depicted with arrows.
◦ W’s “21” route means he is coming inside, flashing his hands at the QB
trying to get the defender to bite inside, and then breaking outside.
◦ X’s inside curl route indicates he is running to the LB, or inside shoulder of
an OLB, and turning around to face the QB. His job is to occupy the
defender.
◦ Y’s angled deep route indicates he is running at, or inside of the Safety.
◦ Z’s outside slant route indicates a delay in the timing before the cross.
Common Route Indicators
8. W, X, and C all run decoy routes.
Z is the Primary target on this play.
Y and H are the Secondary Targets.
Basic Play Design
9. Stars represent the order in which the QB will likely
progress through the WR routes.
Stars are located approximately where the WR will be
receiving the ball, or at least having the ball thrown to
them by the time they reach that spot.
Purple Stars (not pictured) represent the progression
during an alternate execution.
Designed Read Progressions
10. Here is the same play, but W comes in
motion pre-snap and aligns between Y
and Z.
◦ The signal for going in motion is when the
Center places the ball on the ground.
Motion
11. Here, the play has two executions:
◦ First, is the original play with Black, Red, and Green
routes.
◦ Second, is where players that have purple routes
follow them instead of their original route.
Alternative Execution
12. Always execute the standard play unless
specifically instructed to run your
alternate route.
Calling the Alternative Execution
13. When two WRs cross the same area of the
field, whichever route is on top of the
stack goes first.
Here Y goes first, and then Z crosses
underneath.
Crossing Routes
14. When two WRs cross the same area of the
field, whichever route is on top of the
stack goes first.
◦ The Center runs in front of everyone.
◦ Z runs underneath everyone.
◦ Y runs in front of Z, but under the Center.
Route Stacking
15. An Option Route is where the WR reads
the defense during the play and adjusts
his route to run to the open space.
Option Routes
16. This play can be executed two ways:
◦ To the left, with Z as the primary
◦ To the right, with Y as primary
Z goes in motion, and runs an option route.
X is the only WR whose route changes based
on the play execution.
Example Play
17. Stars represent progression order
W is running a deep fly route, but getting
outside of the CB first.
The left QB is receiving the snap.
X, W, and H are all secondary options.
Example Play Continued
18. There are goal line, short, core, and trick play
card types.
Playcards show the formation an alignment.
There are decoy, secondary, primary, and
alternative execution route.
Read progression is labeled by stars.
Route order is determined by the stack.
There are several nuances in some route
designs, like the quick out slant, the “21”, and
the angled base routes.
Some plays have alternate executions, or Option
routes, making them flexible for many situations.
Recap