What Is the Levels Passing Concept?

Aug 24

2 min read

Updated: 7 hours ago

Levels is a passing concept that pairs in breaking routes at different depths, commonly a short in route beneath a deeper dig. The routes ask an underneath defender to cover space in front of him and behind him at the same time.

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The Levels concept is a passing design that sends two receivers across the middle at different depths, usually with a short in-breaker below a deeper dig. The quarterback reads the defender responsible for the space between them. If that defender drops under the deep route, the throw goes to the shallow route.

The relationship matters more than an exact depth. A five yard route below a dig around ten to fifteen yards is a teaching example, not a rule every offense follows.

Read the defender between the routes

Against zone, a linebacker dropping underneath the dig can leave a short completion available. A defender driving on the lower route can open the deeper window.

The quarterback still checks the rest of the defense. Another defender may rotate into the dig, a rusher may force an early throw, or a backside matchup may be the preferred option. Levels creates a conflict; it does not guarantee that only one defender can reach either receiver.

Understanding zone coverage responsibilities makes the read easier to see. Watch the player between the routes, then check for help behind him.

Man coverage changes the problem

Against man coverage, individual separation, leverage and motion can matter more than one defender’s zone choice. A Patriots film review identifies a Levels call that used motion to help a deeper in route get free.

The receivers still must run legal routes. Natural traffic is different from intentionally blocking a defender before the pass is touched. Our pick and rub route guide explains that boundary.

Examples and illustrations

Top-down Football Nation diagram of the Levels concept showing a 5-yard in route below a 12-yard dig, a backside clear-out route and a highlighted hook defender.

Levels versus related concepts

Mesh usually pairs shallow crossers moving in opposite directions. Flood layers routes toward a sideline. Dagger uses a vertical route to help create space for a deep dig. These concepts can share individual routes without being the same combination.

Some coaches also use Drive and Levels names differently. The route drawing and quarterback’s progression are more reliable than the label alone.

What makes the play fail

Poor depth spacing can let one defender threaten both routes. A late throw can arrive after the window closes. A robber or matching coverage can add help the quarterback did not expect.

On replay, find the short in route and the deeper dig, then follow the defender between them. His movement explains the initial opening, while the surrounding coverage explains whether the quarterback should use it.