The Gun Bunch Quads Offset formation found in the Alabama playbook is one of the most unique formations in College Football 25. This formation is part of Alabama's shotgun (Gun) package and features a bunch formation with four receivers to one side in an offset alignment. In this article we're going to detail some of the play in Gun Bunch Quads Offset, which will hopefully help you carry on more smoothly in the game.
Passing Plays | Running Plays |
---|---|
Fk Toss Verticals | Duo |
Roll Out Double Post | Counter GH |
Slot Fade | |
Cross HB Under |
The "Fake Toss Verticals" play in the Gun Bunch Quads Offset formation is a universal coverage beater, meaning it can effectively beat almost every type of coverage in College Football 25, including Cover 2 Zone, Cover 3, Cover 4 Drop, Cover 2 Man, and match coverage. This play is run from the left hash mark and, if executed correctly, can often result in a one-play touchdown.
Play: Fk Toss Verticals (Left Hash Mark)
Setup:
- Hot route your B/circle receiver to a streak route
- Use the custom stem feature to increase your X/square receiver’s route by 5 yards (1 time up on the left stick)
- Hot route your tight end to a corner route
- Hot route your running back to an out route to the left
Read:
- Against Cover 2, Cover 2 Man, or Cover 4 defenses, look to your X/square deep
- Against Cover 3 look to your B/circle receiver deep (lead pass away from the safety) or if you are forced to your left, to your X/square receiver deep on the left side.
Overview: This is a 1 play touchdown against a lot of the most common defenses in the game including Cover 2, Cover 3, Cover 4, Cover 2 Man, and Match coverages.
Key Points
- Quick Setup: Perform the hot routes and adjustments quickly, especially in loud stadiums, to avoid a delay of game or false start penalty.
- Quarterback Movement: Roll out to the right to buy time for the deep routes to develop.
- Lead Passing: Use the placement and accuracy passing setting to lead pass away from the safety, which helps in creating separation for the receiver.
1. Quarterback Movement: Immediately roll out to the right after the snap to buy time for the routes to develop.
2. Read the Defense: As you roll out, observe the movement of the right-side cornerback and the deep safety.
Key Reads and Throws
1. Outside Cornerback: The outside cornerback will follow the TE on the corner route, leaving the deep right third vulnerable.
2. Safety: The single high safety will be conflicted between covering the B receiver's streak route and the extra square receiver's post route.
3. Lead Pass: Lead pass to the extra square receiver (X or Square) on the post route. The safety will hesitate, and the receiver should get open deep.
1. Quarterback Movement: Immediately roll out to the right after the snap to buy time for the routes to develop.
2. Read the Defense: As you roll out, observe the movement of the safeties and the cornerbacks.
Key Reads and Throws
1. Deep Safeties: In Cover 2, the two safeties split the deep field, leaving the middle of the field vulnerable.
2. Outside Cornerbacks: The outside cornerbacks cover the flats and may follow the out route or stay shallow.
3. Lead Pass:
- Streak Route: The B receiver's streak route can pull one of the safeties deep, creating space in the middle of the field.
- Post Route: The extra square receiver on the post route will exploit the middle of the field, which is the weak spot in Cover 2.
1. Quarterback Movement: Immediately roll out to the right after the snap to buy time for the routes to develop.
2. Read the Defense: As you roll out, observe the movement of the defenders in man coverage and the safeties.
Key Reads and Throws
1. Man Coverage: In Cover 2 Man, defenders are assigned to cover their man one-on-one, with two safeties playing deep halves.
2. Safeties: The two deep safeties will split the deep field, potentially leaving the middle open, especially against a post route.
3. Primary Target:
- Post Route: The extra square receiver on the post route can create separation against his man due to the inside cut.
- Streak Route: The B receiver’s streak route can pull one of the safeties deep, opening up the middle.
Throw
1. Lead Pass: As the extra square receiver makes the post cut, lead pass towards the middle of the field. Timing is crucial to ensure the receiver can catch the ball in stride, exploiting the separation created against the man coverage.
1. Quarterback Movement: Immediately roll out to the right after the snap to buy time for the routes to develop.
2. Read the Defense: As you roll out, observe the movement of the safeties and cornerbacks.
Key Reads and Throws
1. Deep Coverage: In Cover 4 Drop, the safeties and cornerbacks drop back into deep quarters coverage, splitting the field into four deep zones.
2. Corner Route: The TE’s corner route can draw the attention of the outside cornerback and one of the safeties, creating space underneath.
3. Streak Route: The B receiver’s streak route can pull one of the safeties deep, opening up space in the intermediate area of the field.
4. Post Route: The extra square receiver on the post route can find a soft spot between the safeties and linebackers, exploiting the space created by the deep coverage.
Throw
1. Lead Pass: As the extra square receiver makes the post cut, lead pass towards the middle of the field. The goal is to place the ball in the gap between the deep zones, away from the safeties and linebackers.
1. Quarterback Movement: Immediately roll out to the right after the snap to buy time for the routes to develop.
2. Read the Defense: As you roll out, observe the movement of the defenders in match coverage, particularly the safeties and cornerbacks.
Key Reads and Throws
1. Match Coverage: In match coverage, defenders will initially play zone but switch to man coverage when receivers enter their zones. This can create opportunities for mismatches and confusion among defenders.
2. Corner Route: The TE’s corner route can draw the attention of the cornerback and potentially a safety, creating space underneath.
3. Streak Route: The B receiver’s streak route can pull one of the safeties deep, creating a one-on-one matchup with the post route.
4. Post Route: The extra square receiver on the post route can exploit the confusion in match coverage, finding a gap between the defenders.
Throw
1. Lead Pass: As the extra square receiver makes the post cut, lead pass towards the middle of the field. The aim is to place the ball in the space created by the match coverage confusion.
- Tight End Corner Route: Can be a reliable checkdown against both man and zone coverages.
- Running Back Out Route: Effective against most coverages unless a hard flat is deployed.
This play is highly effective when executed correctly and can serve as a potent weapon in your offensive arsenal, providing a reliable option to exploit defensive weaknesses and score touchdowns efficiently.
This play leverages the tight end’s route, which is adept at beating both man and zone coverages. Here are the detailed steps and strategic considerations to execute this play effectively from the left hash mark.
Play: Roll Out Double Post (Zone Beater) – Left Hash Mark
Setup:
- Hot route your X/square receiver to a fade route
- Hot route your B/circle receiver to a curl route and custom stem it up 4 times
- Hot route your running back to a curl route
Reads:
- Roll out to the right and look to your tight end on the corner route.
- If he is covered, look to the B/circle receiver on the deep curl route
- Then finally look underneath to your running back
Overview: This play beats any zone defense and is especially effective against user defenders because of the spacing on the play. For man to man coverage, you can instead put your running back on a triple option route or an out route to the right.
Note that you don’t have to be all the way on the left hash mark for this to work.
1. Roll Out to the Right: Upon snapping the ball, roll out to the right side. This helps to buy time and utilize the extra blocker on that side.
2. Read the Defense:
- Tight End Route: The tight end’s route (number 81) is crucial. This route is effective against both man and zone defenses. Watch the tight end first; if open, throw to him.
- Clearing Route: The outside number five receiver clears out any deep zones, opening up the middle of the field for the tight end.
3. Option Based on User Movement:
- If the User Follows the Corner Route: If the opponent’s user follows the corner route, the tight end’s unique route should be open.
- If Both Main Targets are Covered: If the opponent manages to cover both the tight end and the clearing route, the running back on the curl route becomes a viable option. The dual curl routes create a spacing issue for the user, making it hard to cover both effectively.
Cover 3:
- The tight end will often find an opening as the deep zones are cleared out.
- If the user drops deep, hit the running back on the curl route.
Cover 4:
- Similar setup with the B/Circle receiver on a curl route stemmed up 3-4 times.
- Watch for openings created by the clearing routes and the tight end.
Cover 2 (Tampa 2):
- This defense requires careful reading. The user will usually choose between the tight end and the deep curl route.
- The running back on the curl route often becomes a check-down option if the user covers the deeper routes.
- User Movement: The play’s success heavily relies on reading the opponent’s user defender. They can't cover both the tight end and the deep curl route simultaneously.
- Adjust Based on Zone Drops: If the opponent has deep zone drops set, adjust by taking the available short gains (7-9 yards).
- Mix It Up: Use this play in conjunction with other zone-beaters to keep the defense guessing.
Play: Slot Fade (Cover 3 Beater) – Left Hash Mark
Setup:
- Hot route your X/square receiver to a comeback route
- Custom stem your B/circle receiver up 5 times
- (Optional) Adjust your running back’s route to whatever you’d like
Reads: If you know your opponent is in a cover 3 defense, this is a really simply 1 play touchdown to the B/circle receiver
Overview: It can help the angle of this pass to roll out to the right a little first.
Execution:
- Roll Out: Roll out to the right to create more space.
- Timing: The unique custom stem and the comeback route hold the cornerback, creating a separation.
- Pass Lead: Lead the pass away from the safety for a likely touchdown.
Key Points:
- The comeback route keeps the cornerback occupied.
- The custom stem creates a deceptive double move.
- The play works effectively against Cover Three defenses.
- Ideally, use a fast receiver for the B/Circle spot.
Play: Cross HB Under (Right Hash Mark)
Setup:
Hot route your B/circle receiver to a hitch route
Custom stem your X/square receiver down 5 yards (1 down on the left stick)
Reads:
Your first read is your running back in the left flat
Then look to your tight end over the middle
Then read between the X/square receiver on the shallow post and the B/circle receiver on the hitch route
Overview: The B/circle receiver’s hitch route gets in a soft spot against just about every zone in the game. The other routes do a pretty good job of beating man to man defense as well as zone.
Play Setup
1. Primary Adjustment: Set the B receiver on a hitch route. This adjustment helps create a simple and effective read, especially against zone defenses.
2. Optional Adjustment: You can adjust the X receiver's route to be a bit shallower. This modification makes it easier to find gaps in the defense and provides an additional short-to-mid range target.
Execution Against Different Defenses
Cover 3 Defense:
- The hitch route by the B receiver typically finds a soft spot in the Cover 3 zone, making it an easy and quick read for a 7-yard gain.
- Defenders are often preoccupied with the tight end or running back routes, leaving the hitch route open.
Cover 2 Defense:
- Against Tampa 2 or Cover 2 with hard flats, the hitch route still finds a gap. Timing is crucial to hitting the B receiver right as they turn.
- If the X receiver's route is shortened, it can draw defenders away, further opening up the B receiver.
Reading the Defense
1. Look at the running back's route first. This route can provide a quick check-down option if there is immediate pressure.
2. Shift your focus to the tight end. If the tight end gets open across the field, especially in man-to-man coverage, it can lead to significant yardage.
3. Check the hitch route by the B receiver. This route is usually effective against any zone defense.
Formation: Gun Bunch Quads Offset
Play: Duo
Setup: None required
Overview: You can play around with motioning your B/circle receiver either to the right or to the left.
Gun Bunch Quads Offset is often perceived as a passing formation due to its setup. However, it can be a highly effective running formation.
1. Personnel
Includes two tight ends, one of whom could be a player similar to a tackle since they don’t run routes. This setup makes it a strong and heavy formation, often prompting opponents to use 3-4 or 4-3 defensive formations.
2. Strategic Advantage
The unique alignment forces the defense to quickly declare their intentions, whether defending against runs to the right, left, or middle, and whether they will utilize two high safeties. This early declaration by the defense creates opportunities for the offense to exploit.
1. Play Setup
Duo is a straightforward run play that can be highly effective against various defensive setups. Ensure you have a decent offensive line for optimal effectiveness.
2. Running the Play
The offensive line's alignment in this formation often opens up significant running lanes. Mix in passing plays to force the defense to pass commit, making the run play more effective. You have control over the run direction from the start, with the option to cut back to the right if necessary. The formation allows for adaptability against different defensive looks and blitzes, often resulting in large yardage gains.
Playbook: Alabama
Formation: Gun Bunch Quads Offset
Play: Counter GH
Setup: None required
Overview: If you have a numbers advantage to the left side of the field, this is a great play to call.
1. Pre-Snap Reads
Assess the defensive alignment to determine if the Counter GH is the right play. Look for a defensive setup where there are too many defenders on the right side or a man-to-man coverage without an extra cornerback on the left side.
2. Execution
Snap the ball when the defensive alignment favors the left side run. If you see a favorable look, proceed with the play. Motion a player before the snap to create an additional blocker. Snap the ball when the motioning player is in position to block, typically targeting the safety.
3. Adjustments
If the defense is stacked on the left side or has a cornerback and safety on that side, audible to a different play such as a Duo run up the middle. Use the pre-snap motion to help set up blocks and create running lanes.
4. Play Variations
Mix up your play calls with other runs like the Duo and a toss to the right side. This forces the defense to cover the entire field and makes the Counter GH more effective.
Related:
CFB 25: Using Motion Tactic to Destroy Man To Man Defense