The Nine Basic Quarterback Reads in the Multiple�West Coast Offense

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By: Ron Jenkins�Offensive Coordinator�El Camino College (CA)

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Basic coverages

• Cover 3 Zone
• Cover 2 Zone
• Quarters
• Cover 1 Free Man
• Cover 0 Man

Cover 3 Zone

Cover 2 Zone

Quarters

Cover 2 Zone

Cover 1 Free

Cover 0 Man

Basic Quarterback Reads

• #1 The Slant - Flat / Swing Read
• #2 The Stick - Flat Read / Sideline - Swing Read
• #3 The Dig - Drag Read
• #4 The Deep Square-in - Medium Square-in Read
• #5 The Curl - Flat / Swing Read
• #6 The Sideline Stop / Seam Read
• #7 The Deep Out – Flat Read
• #8 The Deep Reads
• #9 Man (Single-coverage Reads)

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Quarterback Pre-snap

• Always get to the line quickly with your hands under center.
• If the defense is going to shift, they will do it after you get under center.
• Look for the safeties.
• Is there anyone in the middle of the field?
• Look for the best side to read.
• Number of defenders vs. Number of receivers.

Quarterback Pre-snap

• Look at the defender’s leverage.
• Leverage refers to the defender’s relationship to the receiver, or the area of the field the defender must cover.
• Know where all the routes are going to be run.
• Look for possible blitzes.
• Know where your hot routes are.

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#1 The Slant - Flat / Swing Read

• Key flat defender.
• OLB, Strong Safety or CB.
• Throw away from the flat defender.
• If he covers the slant, hit the flat / swing route.
• If he goes flat, hit the slant.

The Slant – Flat / Swing Drop

• The Quarterback’s specific drop is dependant on the flat defender’s leverage.
• If the flat defender is close to the LOS (Pro 4 – 3) , the drop will be deeper (three-big) so the QB can throw behind him.
• If the flat defender is way off the LOS (College 4 – 3) , the drop will be shallower (three-quick) so the QB can throw in front of him.

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#2 The Stick - Flat Read / Sideline - Swing Read

• Key the strong safety or defender who will cover that area.
• Check pre-snap leverage.
• Look for the flat, then the stick.
• Many times looking at the flat route first will open up the stick route.
• Vs cover 2, look to the strong-side fade first.

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#2 The Sideline - Swing Read

• Key the strong safety or defender who will cover that area.
• Check pre-snap leverage.
• Look for the swing, then the sideline.
• Many times looking at the swing route first will open up the sideline route.

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#3 The Dig - Drag Read

• Key the underneath coverage.
• While dropping back, take a look at what the linebackers are doing.
• If they drop, hit the drag.
• If they jump or wall the drag, go for the dig.
• Vs. Quarters coverage, the drag usually becomes the safest throw.

#4 The Deep Square-in - Medium Square-in Read

• Key outside linebacker to the strong safety.
• If LB takes medium square-in route and SS takes flat area, hit the deep square-in.
• If either LB or SS takes away the deep square-in, throw to the area they vacate.

#5 The Curl - Flat / Swing Read

• Key flat defender.
• OLB, Strong Safety or CB.
• Throw away from the flat defender.
• If he goes flat, hit the curl.
• If he drops to curl, hit the flat / swing route.

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#6 The Sideline Stop / Seam Read

• Vs cover 2, the sideline will automatically turn into a fade route.
• Check corner and safety alignment.
• Check OLB / Strong Safety alignment.
• Key flat defender.
• OLB, Strong Safety or CB.
• If the flat defender can get underneath the the route, throw to the stop or seam.

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#7 The Deep Out – Flat Read

• Great route vs. cover 2
• The flat route will hold the corner.
• If the corner runs with the WR, hit the flat route right away.
• If the corner comes off the WR, continue your drop and hit the WR on the Deep Out.

#8 The Deep Reads

• This is a timing pass.
• Realize that deep passes are not high percentage completions.
• Get a good idea where you have the best chance to go with the ball on your pre-snap read.
• If you are not sure where to go deep with the ball on your third step (of a 5-step drop), let the ball go to an underneath receiver.

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1

2

2

5 BIG HITCH (READ FREE) LOOK TO THE SIDE

THE BACK RELEASES TO (THIS WILL ANCHOR THE CORNER).

TO GET TE OPEN LOOK TO WR FIRST.

HIT TE AS HE PASSES THE BACKER DROP.

OUTLET

OUTLET

DEEP READS

T

N

T

B

B

B

B

C

C

FS

SS

Four Verticals

• Four verticals vs. Cover Three
• The inside seams are the first read.
• Hit the seams as they pass by the linebackers at about 15 yards.
• Look the safety off with a good look at the Wide Receivers as you drop.
• Throw away from safety coverage.

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#10 Man (Single-coverage Reads)

• Where is the blitz coming from?
• Identify your hot route(s).
• What are the receiver routes?
• Think about possible safety help.
• What are the individual match-ups?
• Does a particular receiver have an advantage against his defender?
• Which receiver has leverage on his defender?
• Which defender is in a bad position to cover the called route?

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• The Multiple West Coast Offense
• Quarterback Play and Technique in The Multiple West Coast Offense
• The Quick Passing Game of The Multiple West Coast Offense
• The Drop Back Passing Attack of The Multiple West Coast Offense
• Wide Receiver Technique in the The Multiple West Coast Offense
• Plus other topics of interest……

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The Nine Basic Quarterback Reads in the Multiple�West Coast Offense

​

​

By: Ron Jenkins�Offensive Coordinator�El Camino College (CA)

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