Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Cheat Swing Flat is a play-action style route concept out of Pistol Tight Y Off Flex that puts stress on the flat and intermediate crossers. Pre-snap motion sends a receiver in tight, and off the snap the outside receiver runs a deep dig or crossing route while the tight end releases into the flat and the running back swings out wide for a checkdown option. The backside receiver runs a deep post to stretch the field vertically, giving this concept both a horizontal stretch underneath and a vertical shot over the top, making it a solid man beater against tight coverage and a zone beater against soft flat defenders. The primary read progresses from the flat route to the swing route, working outside in before looking to the deep crosser or backside post if time allows.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender before the snap. If he sits inside to cover the crosser, the swing route to the running back is wide open. Key the linebacker depth. Shallow linebackers will jump the flat route, so be ready to hot route the swing man on a wheel if you see this. Identify Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells early, since the deep post can get squeezed by two deep safeties, making the underneath flat and swing combo the better answer. User the closest defender to the flat route pre-snap if playing defense, since this concept lives and dies on that flat and swing combination. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can disrupt the timing of the flat route, forcing a quick checkdown to the swing man instead.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone by watching if a defender follows the motion man across the formation.
If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with soft corners, target the flat and swing combo immediately for an easy underneath completion.
Hot route the backside post into a comeback if you see a single high safety cheating over the top to shut down the vertical shot.
This play pairs well with Cheat HB Zone and Cheat TE Double Pass in the same set, since both threaten the same motion look but attack different levels of the defense.
Best used on early downs or third and short, since the flat and swing routes provide a safe, high-percentage completion with YAC potential if the defense bites on the deep crosser.
