Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Weak Flood is a three level flood concept run to the weak side of I Form Slot, designed to stretch a single side of the field vertically and horizontally with three receivers stacked at different depths. The outside receiver runs a deep corner route, the inside slot receiver runs a shallow crossing route underneath at the intermediate level, and the TE or third receiving option releases vertically before sitting down, giving the quarterback a high low read on one side. This is a classic Cover 3 beater since it overloads the flat and deep third defenders with three separate stems, and the primary progression works deep corner first, then check down to the crosser underneath if the deep defender jumps the route.
Defensive Reads
Key the deep third defender to the weak side immediately after the snap, since his depth and width tell you whether the corner route or the underneath crosser will be open. Watch for a flat defender sitting at the sticks, because if he widens with the crosser it opens a throwing lane behind him for the corner route. If the defense shows two high safeties pre-snap, expect Cover 2 or Cover 4 concepts that can double the deep corner route, so be ready to check down quickly to the shallow crosser or dump off underneath. User controlled defenders who lurk in the shallow zone can jump the underneath crossing route, so look for a defender sitting unusually shallow near the numbers as a sign of a user in coverage. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers from the weak side will collapse the pocket quickly, so recognize overload pressure looks pre-snap and be ready to get the ball out on time to the shallow route as a built in answer.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing a single high safety look before the snap since that confirms Cover 3 or Cover 1 and tells you the deep corner route will have a soft spot in the flat or deep third.
Use motion or a quick glance at the strong side to bait linebackers before the snap, since this play attacks the weak side and you want defenders flowing away from your primary read.
If you see man coverage indicators like DBs mirroring receivers at the line, hot route the underneath crosser into a quick out or speed up his break to create separation against trail technique.
Call this on second and medium or third and short to medium situations where the defense is likely to sit in zone drops, since the flood concept punishes zone defenders who cannot cover three levels with two defenders.
Pair Weak Flood with PA Flood or Sail Y Shake from the same set to keep defenders guessing between a straight drop and a play action look, both attacking similar zones but with different timing.
