Football Library · Routes
Z-Out
5-yd vertical stem, then a SHARP break to the inside (~3-4 yds lateral), then a SECOND SHARP break continuing upfield and back outside. Creates a Z-shape — the receiver crosses toward the middle before breaking back toward the sideline. Beats man coverage (double-move forces the defender to change direction twice). Finishes ~12-13 yds deep outside.
Demo rendered on @X (outside WR) at 13yd depth. Only the route runner and the QB are shown so the break stays the focus; the same route family scales to any depth a play calls for, and concepts that use this route may set a different depth.
How to run it
stem vertical, break inside, then continue upfield and back outside — double-move beats trailing man.
Reading it by coverage
How to run the z-out against what the defense shows.
- Cover 0:
- double-move vs man — sell the inside cut, break back out; it needs time, so protect it.
- Cover 1:
- the inside fake turns the corner's hips, then break back to the sideline behind him.
- Man:
- man-beater — sell the first break hard so he commits inside.
- Zone:
- wasted vs disciplined zone — the defender won't chase the fake; check it down.