The Spacing Switch play from the Singleback Flip Trips formation has almost everything that you want in a passing play: great spacing, two unbumpable routes, possible quick passes, and even the ability to attack deep. The only aspect of this play that we don't like is the fact that the running back is staying in to block. However, if you've read up on SportsGamer's tip about how to steal routes, then you know that this problem can quickly be solved.
Singleback Flip Trips - Spacing Switch
Playbook
Tampa Bay
Quick Setup
Step 1 - Smart Route your 3rd and 4th receivers on the depth chart (XBOX - Y + receiver's icon = right analog stick down / PS2 - Triangle + receiver's icon + right analog stick down.
Step 2 - (optional) Hot route your number 1 receiver on the far right side of the field to either go deep or slant outside for a possible quick pass.
Figure 1 - The New York Jets have come out in the Singleback Flip Trips Spacing Switch play. Notice how the two routes criss cross on the field from wide receivers Tim Dwight (Triangle) and Jericho Cotchery (R1). This criss cross that takes play is what creates the unbumpable routes after the snap. Take a look at Figure 2 to see how we enhance this play.
Figure 2 - We've now smart-routed both receiver's routes, causing them to run to the first down marker. However, we've also hot routed wide receiver Laveranues Coles to run a streak to give us a deep threat downfield. You may also want to consider hot routing this receiver to perform the most effective quick pass in the game if he is taller. Let's begin the play.
Figure 3 -Immediately after the snap you can see that our outside receivers (Justin McCareins and Laveranues Coles) are being bumped, while our two inside receivers continue running untouched.
Figure 4 - This image provides a great view of exactly what takes place after the snap. Inside receiver Jericho Cotchery makes an initial break to the outside before heading up the field. Cotchery's initial break causes confusion for the defense, allowing our receivers a free run off the line.
Figure 5 - On this particular play the defenders actually switch off to try to get into better position to defend a pass.
Figure 6 - The middle of the field is wide open at this point in the play. However, we're going to let this play develop a bit further to showcase a unique animation that you can get if you throw at the proper timing to the receiver on the outside.
Figure 7 - We press up on the directional pad to make the throw with New York Jets' quarterback Chad Pennington.
Figure 8 - As the ball approaches, our receiver begins to turn around to get into position to make the catch.
Figure 9 - Cotchery makes the leaping catch for a quick gain of 10 yards.
Figure 10 - This time we make the throw with Pennington over the middle to Dwight. Regardless, we still want to make the pass by pressing up on the directional pad.
Figure 11 - This time Dwight goes into a leaping animation as the ball closes in.
Figure 12 - Dwight uses the great position that we created on the play to haul in the easy catch.
Final Conclusion
There are so many options on the Spacing Switch play that it really is ridiculous. SportsGamer released a tip to explain the effectiveness of the "Shoot Curl" route not too long ago. Well, that route is actually in this play, but since we've already thoroughly broken it down we wanted you to focus on the unbumpable routes instead. The bottomline is if you are using the Tampa Bay playbook, then you need to be using this play. If you aren't, then better learn how to defend it because it is going to be everywhere.
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