Kobra's Corner: Gun Bunch Wk Verticals

By Paul "Kobra" Gleason

January 13, 2009

In this week's Kobra's Corner, I want to take a look at a passing concept that I like to run against Cover 3 and Cover 4 coverage that allows me to get the ball out of the quarterback's hands and into a receiver's hands quickly.



The Gun Bunch Wk Verticals is a very effective play when looking to attack deep, but it also can be used in the short passing game as well.



The wheel route ran by the outside receiver lined up on the bunch side is the receiver we look to throw to if Cover 3 or Cover 4 is called.



We like to hot route the tight end on a streak to give us a vertical threat right down the deep middle of the field.



In many cases you can tell when Cover 3 coverage is called based on the rotation of the safeties. In the screen shot above, the strong safety rotates down into the box, while the free safety rotates towards the middle of the field. If you see this, you can pretty much bet the defense is in some type of Cover 3 coverage.



It's hard to see defensive back (CB4) playing ....



... across from the slot receiver in these two screen shots.



If the defensive back is playing a flat or buzz zones, he will jam the slot receiver once the ball is snapped.



In the screen shot above, you can the defensive back jamming the slot receiver once the ball is snapped.



Because he does this, he won't be able to cover the flat fast enough, leaving the outside receiver wide open for a quick bullet pass.



The LCB won't be able to react fast enough because he is dropping back into a deep zone.



We make the catch and pick up a quick six yards.

Final Thoughts

The Gun Bunch Wk Verticals is very effective passing play that can be run not only against zone coverage short or deep, but also can be used to beat man coverage as well. Be sure to watch the video to see the play in motion.