Post Views: 1,552 Continuing my series on route concepts you need to know, I move on to a pair of concepts that are not as popular as the others I have discussed but can be extremely effective. One involves the running back “Rail” and other comes primarily out of bunch formations and that is “Spot”. | RAIL | WHO RUNS IT? This is primarily a concept you will find from spread teams. It would be rear to see two back teams or heavy run teams run this concept. A heavy run team my having something similar to this in their playbook but typically their running backs aren’t the type that would excel in a play like this. Spread teams that make use of four wide receivers or receiving tight ends and make it a habit of spacing out the defense would employ this concept. You need a good receiving running back to make this concept pop. WHAT IS IT? This play involves a single receiver into the boundary that runs and underneath route, typically a shallow but it can also be an over route or something similar. The running back is also into the boundary, he will release outside with an arc and run up the sidelines on what ends up being a go route. The faster the back, the bigger the problem. It is designed to rub the defender responsible for the running back or otherwise attract the attention of the deep 1/3 defender. WHERE DO THEY RUN IT This play can literally be run anywhere including the red zone. Any place where the offense can reasonably expect man coverage, is a place where this play can be run. Nothing about this play prohibits it from being only run in only certain areas of the field. WHEN DO THEY RUN IT This play can also be run in any down and distance. Typically, however, It will get run on 3rd down situations with medium to short yardage to gain. This is when the offense will see a high percentage of man coverage matching up a linebacker on the running back. HOW TO SPOT IT The biggest tell on this play is the position of the back when the receiver takes a tight split. The problem is that the man coverage call by the defense gives the defenders tunnel vision. A man coverage call usually makes the defender only look at his guy and pay little to no attention to the alignment of others. This should not be the case. When the single receiver into the boundary takes a heavily reduced split, the linebacker should notice this and the corner should find the back. If the back is to his side and aligned behind the offensive tackle, it’s a good indication that this play may be coming. HOW TO DEFEND IT The best way to defend this play is to have some kind of coverage check. One that is typical is “cone” which has the corner and linebacker switch responsibilities. Basically these two defenders will play banjo with the back and receiver. When the receiver goes inside, the linebacker picks him up and the cornerback waits for the back to come out and runs with him. If the thought of a linebacker running across the field with a speed WR scares you then as a coach you can totally check out of the coverage. The final option is to have hard rules about how each defender will play. The corner can play aggressive press and flatten out the inside route by the receiver while the LB commits to going over the top of the incoming WR / DB to play the rail route. | SPOT | WHO RUNS IT This is another concept from spread teams though it can be part of a package for a two back team or heavy run team finding themselves in a passing situation. Basically anyone that has a bunch formation as part of their passing scheme will have this play somewhere in their playbook. WHAT IT IS IT It’s a pass play out of bunch that tries to widen defenders that may be playing zone or run defenders playing man to get a guy open in space for a short to medium gain. The inner most receiver in the bunch (# 3) goes to the flat right now. The point man in the bunch (# 2) runs a curl at about 5 yds and the outer most receiver will run a quick 7 route. WHERE DO THEY RUN IT This is another play that can be run anywhere on the field. Because of the length of the routes in the concept, this combo does not require much space. With this in mind, it can be run in the red zone and of course anywhere out in the field. It is also a play that can be run coming out of the goal line as it is relatively safe from a risk standpoint. WHEN DO THEY RUN IT This is your classic 3rd and short play. The down and distance to make may be just outside of your comfort level for running the ball and so you need something quick at the sticks that the QB can get out of his hand. This play will also be run down on the goal line especially with heavy passing teams that aren’t the types to “pound the ball in”. Finally, some teams may run this on 1st and 10 to try and grab and easy 5 yards to start off a series. HOW TO SPOT IT There aren’t a ton of pre-snap tells unless there is a particular place one of the guys in the bunch is lined up. Some teams may prefer to move a player from their normal bunch alignment to a different spot to run this because they are better at running one of the routes in the combo. Outside of the that, the clues on this play come post snap. Reading the release of two and three will give an indication of what is unfolding. HOW TO DEFEND IT This is a tough one especially if you have hardcore rules on defending bunch. You can make a zone call which would send a safety over the top and allow the cornerback and nickel to stay with the flat / curl routes but that would require you having some pre-snap indicator of the route coming. Otherwise, it is in your best interest to devise multiple ways to handle bunch when playing man. One way is to have all 3 defenders loosen up in their alignment. The defender over #2 can ready the release of # 3. If # 3 comes out, he takes him and leaves # 2 for the safety. The corner would read the release of # 2 while feeling the release of # 1. If # 1 is coming straight up the field then the corner locks onto him. Author Recent Posts alleyesdbcampOwner at All Eyes DB CampChad Wilson is the founder of All Eyes DB Camp and a former standout defensive back for the Miami Hurricanes. After an elite collegiate career, Wilson spent a season with the Seattle Seahawks before transitioning into coaching. A 3-time Florida state champion defensive coordinator, he has spent over 20 years developing the "All Eyes" blueprint that has produced NFL All-Pros and stars like Xavien Howard, Patrick Surtain II, Tyson Campbell, Minkah Fitzpatrick and more. His coaching system is proven at the highest levels—his own sons, Quincy and Marco Wilson, both excelled as starters in the SEC before being drafted into the NFL.Chad is the author of "101 DB Tips"—The Ultimate DB Reference Guide. You can find more information on the manual and how to order your copy in the sidebar and footer of this page. Latest posts by alleyesdbcamp (see all) The Secret to Elite DB Play: Striving for Technique Perfection - March 17, 2026 The Alien Era: How Defensive Backs Can Win vs Athletic Tight Ends - March 4, 2026 These 4 Drills Will Drastically Improve Your Off Man Coverage - February 25, 2026 Related Posts:Route Combos You Need to Know - Part I3 Things You Need to Do to Improve Your Off Man CoverageYou Play DB and You’re Always a Step Too Late - Here's WhyDB Tips | Undercut a WR's Route Like A Pro Post navigation How to Align: Off Man | Boundary Corners How Do I Cover a _______ Route?
