3-Step Passing

Diagrams to come.

Our 3-step game has been simplified in recent seasons but it has actually produced more productivity. We spend more time now on running good routes and having timing and having simple concepts than trying to do a lot of things, howevever we do probably seem much more multiple since we have a lot more formations and motions and looks.

While we do call, Our 3-step game from the sideline, but for the most part the 3-step game is used as a check to take advantage of particular things the defense is giving up/is succeptible to. We do not want to be baited into anything, but we tell our QB that he is a thief, and his job is to steal opportunities, and get the ball in the hands of our receivers quickly. Obvious examples are we are getting great cushion, we will call hitches, etc. Slant and 4 verticals are called more often from the sideline.

Also, it is important to get a better concept of our offense if you read the section on protection. For almost all 3-step we use Green protection, though sometimes we use red, and in no back we use BOB.

It is important to note a few of the things that are specific to the 3-step game and how it is called:

  • They are mirrored, and there is a #1 and #2 from the sideline for each play. E.G. for slant it is #1-slant #2-shoot, and this happens on both sides.
  • When we do 3-step from non-noback formations, which is most all of the time, the back with the protection responsibilities will, if not needed in blocking, will run what we call a check M and will settle somewhere over the middle in an open spot 3-5 yards downfield in a window to the QB. He is the outlet.
  • If there are three outside receivers(split receivers, and tight ends) to a side he will run a slant. He will serve as both a hot receiver if the inside linebackers blitz but also he will settle versus zone if he does not get the ball immediately and he becomes another outlet. His other obvious purpose is as a clearance receiver.

    The Hitch:

    For us, all the receivers run hitches, which has allowed our QBs to more easily hit their men in the seams.

  • #1: Hitch. Five steps, attacking the defender over you's outside hip. (3 big and 2 quick.) On the fifth step turn around, but don't come back like it is a curl. Get head around quickly. Catch ball and head up sidelines. [We do not convert our hitches, if they play up coverage his job is to get between himself and the defender and box him out.]
    #2: Hitch. See above coaching points, however, if there is a man over you, run directly at him. If there is not, run route straight upfield.
  • QB: Pre-snap, look for best matchup/leverage(cushion and position of flat defender.)(Or if there is a slant defender look for hot.) At snap keep eyes downfield on first step, and then look for the outside hitch, if someone is flashing in front shift and look for the inside hitch. If that is not there look for your dump off.

    Slant:

  • #1: Slant. Attack outside shoulder of defender, and break off of outside foot on third step. Break at slightly more upfield than 45 degree angle. Keep defender on backside. This route is not run at 100% speed. Slow it down a notch or two, as you are passing through zone holes, and is a difficult throw on time. Versus press/jam coverage use escape move and release inside, get defender on outside hip, and break inside. (Versus a cover 2 outside shading corner step at him to get him going outside, and then burst inside him upfield and then break on slant.) Catch ball and get vertical.
  • #2: Run a shoot route to a depth of no more than 1-2 yards. Look on 4th or 5th step, over outside shoulder.
  • [If there is a "Dupe" call, #2 runs a slant also, and he should attack the inside hip of the defender over him, looking for inside leverage or to suck the defender over him in freeing up the outside receiver.]
  • QB: Choose side pre-snap. Look for matchup/leverage. On snap look downfield on first step, then look to your side. Look for the slant, and hit him as he is breaking open off your third step in the window. Do not try to release too quickly, or hold on too long, simply on rhythm. Versus man, do not throw to the receiver so much as away from the defender. This will give your receiver a better play on it. If it is not there shift and look for the flat, and if not that look for the dump off.

    Fade/Out:

  • #1:Run a fade. On this you must outside release, unless you cannot beat the defender outside, then burst upfield inside of him and get back outside. Get upfield, and leave 5 yards on the sideline, more on the wide side.
  • #2: Outside release, and begin rolling the cut on the 3rd step, 45 degree on the 4th and flatten on the fifth. This is a speed cut, and will stay consistent. Outside release using an escape move versus press man. Run away from any interior defenders.
  • QB: Pre-snap read leverage/matchup. This is a good audible against single safety man defenses with inside leverage. Look for fade first, if the cornerback squats short look to stick the fade at 18-20 yards. If the corner drops with the fade, come down to out and lead him away from coverage. If not there dump it off.

    Four verticals:


  • #1: Fade. You can inside release here versus outside coverage if you get back overtop to the outside. Leave 5 yards to the sideline. Make move at 7 yards and get overtop. Versus press man use an escape maneuver and release either way with least resistence, but then get back overtop.
  • #2: Run verticals. Use the hashes as landmarks. Use fastest release to escape underneath defenders, and if you get rerouted, quickly get back to your landmarks.
    [Note: the callside receiver will read the play on the run and has a simple conversion. If the defense is in a "middle open" scheme, he will "bend" his route at 7-9 yards and head for the post. This is not a major plant and break, just a simple "bend". Versus middle closed schemes, like a defense with a single deep safety, he will continue up the hash.
  • QB: Look for leverage and matchup pre-snap. On 3-step drop take 3 big steps. Look down middle of field on first step, looking for safety/safeties reactions, and trying to hold them. Look for an outside receiver, and if he is open stick him the ball before the hash safety can get over. Versus single safety defenses, use this as an opportunity to look off the safety, and come back to the receiver on the opposite hash and if he is open stick it in between the hash. The ball should be caught between 18-22 yards for outside receivers and 16-20 for the seam receivers. Versus man drop it over the receiver's outside shoulder.

    This has been our simple 3-step schemes for several seasons and has been very produtive. It's simplicity has been a real asset, because we expect our QBs to be able to use these as audible tools for a lot of situations. Plus, it's job is to take advantage of defendive alignments(press or loose coverage, etc) and as such has helped our QBs understand the rest of the offense and build confidence.