Football Library · Plays
Speed Out· 5v5 Flag
A fast 5v5 empty-set concept built to beat pressure before it arrives. The inside receiver and eligible center run opposite Speed Outs, using the canonical Quick Out technique: push vertically for two quick steps, plant without throttling down, snap toward the sideline, and find the ball immediately. The outside receivers keep the underneath defense honest with a post from the left and a three-yard-stem slant from the right. The quarterback starts with the center-to-inside Speed Out read against zone and takes the cleanest leverage matchup against man.
Coaching breakdown
Speed Out (5v5): speed out right off the second step, then speed out left off the second step — the quick C-to-Y read gets the ball out before pressure arrives. pushes an 8-yard post stem to clear the left half, while uses a 3-yard slant stem to press the backside defender. Against man, throw the cleanest leverage matchup; against zone, work to and hit the open boundary window.
When to call it
Call it against a fast rusher, off-man cushion, or inside-leverage defenders when the quarterback needs an immediate, low-risk completion to the boundary.
When not to use
Avoid it when hard outside leverage or a trap corner is already sitting in both out-breaking windows, or when the ball is so close to a sideline that the Speed Out has no room to separate.
How to adjust for situations
Against man, choose the Speed Out with the best cushion or leverage and throw to the receiver's outside shoulder. Against zone, read the eligible center first and then the opposite Speed Out, placing the ball in the space between the middle and outside underneath defenders. Near the goal line, shorten the stems but keep the no-gather break and immediate head turn.
Common mistakes
- Speed Out runners gather or chop their feet at the break. The route must stay at full tempo through one decisive sideline cut.
- Receivers turn their eyes late. The quarterback is throwing on rhythm, so both Speed Out runners must locate the ball as they break.
- The post and slant jog because they expect the ball to go outside. Their full-speed stems are what keep middle defenders from widening early.
- The quarterback holds the first window after it closes. Read center to inside out against zone, then move immediately to the leverage answer.
QB read progression
- C Speed Out — Immediate right boundary window before the rush arrives (vs zone or pressure)
- Inside Speed Out — Opposite boundary window between underneath defenders (vs zone)
- Best leverage matchup — Post or slant when man defenders overplay the outs (vs man)