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Breakdown
Z Spot out of Shotgun Ace Offset (12 personnel) is a classic Cover 3 beater built around the spot concept on the boundary side. The backside receiver runs a deep dig across the field while the inline receiver runs a corner route from a shallow crossing stem, creating a natural high low read. To the strong side the TE releases into a shallow flat/spot route underneath while the outside WR clears vertically on a deep post, and the RB runs a swing/angle route into the flat as a check down against blitz. This is a pure dropback pass play with the primary progression starting on the corner route breaking to the flat sit spot underneath it, then working backside to the deep dig if the underneath defender squeezes the flat.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender's leverage at the snap, if he sinks to cover the corner route the spot underneath is wide open for an easy pitch and catch. Check the deep third safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety confirms Cover 3 or Cover 1 and tells you the deep dig has room to sit down in the void. If the defense shows two high safeties post snap and rotates late, expect Cover 4 or Cover 6, which can take away both the corner route and the dig with matching linebackers. Look for a user controlled defender lurking near the shallow crossing routes, since aggressive human defenders will often jump the spot route and bait the quarterback into a pick six. Man coverage with no underneath help is the biggest weakness for this defense to exploit against you, since the crossers and dig will separate quickly against tight man technique.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing a three deep shell since this concept is specifically designed to attack the hole in Cover 3 zone underneath the deep third defenders.
Key the flat defender first, if he sits on the spot route throw the corner route behind him, if he widens to the corner throw the spot underneath for an easy completion.
Use motion or a hot route on the RB to check him into a pass protection stay if you are getting pressure up the middle, since this play does not have a true screen outlet built in.
Pair this play with Curl Flats or Quick Slants in the same set to keep defenses guessing between quick underneath throws and the intermediate spot concept, forcing linebackers to widen their drops.
Best used on 2nd or 3rd and medium when you expect zone coverage, since Cover 3 and Cover 4 match defenders will bite on the flat and open the window for the corner or dig throw.
