Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Flanker Hook out of the Pro Near set is a quick-passing curl flat concept with a go route stacked over the top on the backside. The three receivers to the left run a flat route underneath, a curl (hook) route settling in the intermediate zone, and a vertical go route stretching the deep third, while the isolated receiver on the right runs a straight go route up the sideline. The line and TE stay in to pass protect, making this a timing-based zone beater designed to attack curl flat and cover 3 rotations, with the primary read progressing from the flat to the curl and then to the go route if a defender bites underneath.
Defensive Reads
Read the flat defender first since curl flat concepts are designed to put him in conflict between the flat route and the curl sitting behind him. If the flat defender widens with the flat route, throw the curl into the vacated zone immediately. Watch the deep third defender on the go route side, because if he bites on the curl or jumps the flat, the vertical shot up the numbers is there for a big play. Against man coverage, key the cornerback's leverage on the isolated go route receiver, since inside leverage means the sideline fade is open and outside leverage favors a hitch conversion. Be alert for a user controlled defender lurking in the curl zone, which is the biggest threat to this concept in competitive play and often forces the quick flat as the safer checkdown.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or third and short when you expect zone coverage rolled to one side. Pre-snap, identify which side the curl flat combo is aligned to and check if the defense shows two high safeties or a single high shell, since single high often means the curl sits down in a soft window against cover 3. Hot route the backside go route into a comeback or hitch if you are facing press man to give yourself a quicker, more reliable throw. Pair this play with Slants or Quick Outs in your call sheet to keep the defense guessing between quick underneath throws and this curl flat stretch. Against teams that sit in zone shells on early downs, sequence this play after a couple of inside runs like FB Dive Strong or HB Inside to set up light boxes and open passing lanes.
