Playbooks
Cluster Bunch
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Cluster Bunch lines up out of a bunch alignment on the right side with a lone receiver split far left. The backside receiver runs a quick out breaking away from the formation for an instant outlet, while the bunch releases into a slant flat combo underneath, a deep go route up the seam from the middle bunch receiver, and a wheel style out that climbs into the flat before extending vertically. This is a quick game man beater built off natural rub picks from the bunch alignment, with the go route serving as the field stretcher and the primary progression starting at the flat/slant combo before working to the deep shot off the bunch release.
Defensive Reads
Look for a single high safety pre-snap, which signals man coverage and opens up the rub concepts out of the bunch. Watch the flat defender's depth at the snap, since a hard sink into the flat area leaves the slant window open underneath. Key the slot cornerback's leverage on the go route release, an inside shade means he is banking on help over the top from the deep safety. If the defense shows two high safeties and rolls to a Cover 3 shell, expect the flat and out routes to be the primary answers instead of the go route. Watch for a nano blitz or overload pressure off the edge, since the backside out route serves as a built in answer against aggressive blitz packages.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for man coverage with a single high safety, since the bunch rub action naturally creates separation against man defenders trailing through traffic.
If the corner over the backside single receiver is playing off, take the quick out as an instant answer against blitz looks or Cover 0.
Use hot routes to slide the go route receiver outside if you see a hard inside shade from the slot defender, giving him a cleaner vertical release.
This play pairs well with Mesh and Z Spot from the same set, since both use similar bunch traffic to manipulate zone defenders before you go back to Cluster Bunch for the explosive shot play.
Best called on early downs or third and short, where defenses are more likely to sit in man coverage and get picked off by the bunch rub concepts.
