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Breakdown
Curl Flats out of Shotgun 5WR Trips features the two-man trips side running a curl and flat combo while the backside single receiver runs a deep flat/out route to stretch the field horizontally. The middle trips receiver sits down on a curl at intermediate depth while the outside trips receiver clears out to the flat, creating a natural high-low read on that side. This is a zone beater designed to attack cover 2 and cover 3 shells by settling receivers into the soft spots between underneath zone defenders and deep coverage, with the primary read progression starting at the curl, working to the flat, and checking the backside out route if the curl window closes.
Defensive Reads
Watch for cover 2 or cover 3 zone shells presnap, since this concept is built to exploit the seams between underneath defenders and deep zone coverage. Look at linebacker depth at the snap, shallow drops mean the curl will be covered but the flat should be open, deep drops mean the curl sits in a void. If you see man coverage or press corners across the board, expect this play to struggle since curl flats does not create natural separation against tight man technique. Check for a user controlled defender sitting in the short zone or trying to jump the curl route, since that indicates a lurk threat and you should immediately reset to the flat or backside out. Beware of zone blitzes disguised as standard coverage shells, since a delayed underneath blitzer can undercut the flat route right as you release the ball.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify whether the defense is showing a two high or single high shell, since curl flats thrives against zone drops that leave soft spots underneath deep coverage.
Key the flat defender first, if he sinks with the curl route the flat is wide open for an easy pitch and catch.
Use this play on second and medium or third and short to long when you expect zone drops rather than man press coverage.
Hot route the backside single receiver into a deeper comeback if you are getting single high safety looks, since that stretches the field even more against cover 3.
Pair this call with Four Verticals or Flood from the same set to keep defenses honest, since both plays use similar initial receiver releases but attack downfield instead of settling into zones.
