Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mesh Spot out of Shotgun Bunch Open Offset lines up two crossers underneath running a classic mesh (one shallow drag, one over the top of it) while the backside outside receiver runs an in-cut to fill the spot zone. Out of the bunch, one receiver runs a corner route stemming vertically up the sideline as the clear-out, and the running back releases to the flat for a checkdown/pitch option. This is a man beater at its core (the mesh action creates natural traffic and rubs off defenders in man coverage) but the spot concept underneath also gives it enough answers to work against Cover 3 zone drops. Primary read progression starts with the mesh crossers working leverage against man coverage, then works to the spot/flat combo underneath if the corner route occupies a deep defender.
Defensive Reads
Watch for user-controlled defenders sitting in the mesh point trying to jump the shallow crosser, this is the biggest threat to this concept in competitive play. Check linebacker depth before the snap, shallow linebackers who key the backfield quickly can undercut the spot route and the flat route from the running back. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with a deep third or deep quarter defender sitting on the corner route will take away the vertical shot but open up the underlying mesh and spot combo. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest liability against this play since the corner route can turn into a big play if the cornerback gets picked or rubbed at the mesh point. Blitzes and nano blitzes that bring extra rushers off the edge can be an issue since the mesh concept takes time to develop, so hot route protection or account for the running back staying in to block if you see an obvious blitz look.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing man or zone by checking corner alignment on the bunch; tight, inside shade corners usually signal man coverage which is where this play thrives.
If you see two deep safeties, work the mesh crossers immediately since the shallow drag will often be wide open against off-man or Cover 2 look defenders trying to fight through the mesh point.
Against Cover 3, use the spot route sitting underneath the deep third defender and the flat route from the running back as your answer since the corner route occupies the deep third defender.
Hot route the corner route receiver into a deeper post if you see single-high man coverage with no safety help over the top, this creates an explosive shot play off the mesh concept.
Pair this play with Y Trail or Flood from the same set to keep defenders guessing between crossing mesh concepts and vertical stretch concepts, forcing user defenders to commit early and open up easier reads.
