Playbooks
Flood is a three-level Cover 3 beater out of the Flexbone Close formation that sends receivers to the same side of the field at short, intermediate, and deep depths to overload a single zone defender. The blocking scheme uses the fullback and remaining backs to protect the quarterback on a play-action based launch, giving time for the routes to stretch the flat, hook, and deep third simultaneously. The primary read progression starts with the deep route to see if the cornerback bites on the flat man, then works down to the intermediate hook-curl, and finally checks down to the shallow flat route if the underneath defender sinks too deep.
Pre-snap, identify the free safety depth and alignment, since a single high safety confirms Cover 3 and tells you Flood has a strong chance of stressing the corner responsible for the deep third. Post-snap, key the flat defender or cornerback who has to choose between the deep route and the shallow route, since hesitation there opens either throw depending on his leverage. Watch for a user lurking underneath in the hook-curl zone, since a smart user player can sit on the intermediate route and bait the quarterback into a turnover. If the defense shows Cover 4 or two deep safeties pre-snap, expect the deep route to be taken away and be ready to check down immediately rather than forcing the throw. Be alert for a slot or overload blitz off the flood side, since the fullback and backfield protection may not account for an extra rusher attacking that edge, which can collapse the pocket before routes develop.
Look for single high safety shells pre-snap since this concept is built specifically to attack Cover 3 zone drops.
If the defense shows two deep safeties, consider audibling to a different concept in the set like PA Wb Post since Flood loses value against Cover 4 or Cover 2.
Use hot routes to adjust the shallow route into a quick out or drag if you diagnose man coverage underneath, since the natural spacing still creates rub potential against man defenders.
This play works well on second and medium or third and short since the flat route gives a reliable checkdown if the deep shots are covered.
Pair Flood with Load Option and Inside Veer Triple Opt earlier in a series to get linebackers cheating downhill on run fits, then hit Flood off the same personnel look to catch them out of position in coverage.