Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Dual TE Flat out of the Pistol U Off 12 personnel package shows both tight ends releasing to opposite flats while the backside tight end runs a quick out and up into a corner-style route up the sideline. The two receivers off the line stretch the field vertically to the numbers, creating a natural high low read from sideline to sideline against zone drops. This is primarily a zone beater built to attack Cover 3 and Cover 2 flat defenders, with the primary read progression starting at the flat route release, then working to the intermediate corner breaking route if the flat is taken away by a defender sitting underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check if both safeties are showing two high, which suggests Cover 2 or Cover 4 and opens up the corner breaking route against a flat defender sinking under it. Watch the outside linebackers or slot corners at the snap, if they immediately widen with the flat route it signals zone coverage and the corner route behind them should be open. If a linebacker sits at a fixed depth and does not react to either flat release, that is a strong indicator of man coverage, in which case the initial flat route should be hot routed for a faster look. Beware of a nano blitz or edge pressure package since both tight ends releasing to the flat can leave the backfield thin in protection against overload blitzes off the edge. User controlled defenders sitting in the flat lurking for a jump route are the biggest threat to this concept, if you see a defender staying low and shuffling instead of retreating, expect a jump on the flat throw and progress immediately to the corner route.
Usage Tips
Check for Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells pre-snap since the flat routes exploit any defender who has to widen and cover two levels at once.
Hot route the backside tight end into a quick flat or drag if you see man coverage with a linebacker matched up, since the natural pick action from the formation can create separation.
Use this play on second and short or third and short to force flat defenders into conflict, then follow it with HB Slam or HB Dive to keep the defense honest on early downs.
Pair this with PA Boot Y Drag later in a series so the defense has to respect both the flat concept and the play action boot off the same personnel and formation look.
If the corner route is jumped by a deep half safety, come off it quickly and dump to the near flat for positive yardage rather than forcing the ball into a shrinking window.
