Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Reload Flood X-Choice lines up out of Shotgun Bunch Open Offset with 11 personnel and reloads the bunch alignment before the snap. The concept floods the right side of the field with three levels: a deep vertical/corner combo, a deep out breaking to the sideline, and a choice route sitting underneath that reads the flat defender, while the backside receiver runs an isolated post from the far numbers. The lone in-line blocker and backfield stay in to protect, making this a true dropback flood concept built to attack Cover 3 with numbers to one side, and the primary read progression goes deep flood route first, then the choice route underneath, before working back to the backside post against a hard rotation.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment since this concept is designed to overload one deflated Cover 3 zone with three route levels. Watch the flat and curl defenders after the snap because the choice route adjusts its break based on how those zone defenders drop. User the deep third defender on the flood side since he has to cover both the corner route and the deep out, making him the key conflict defender. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender squatting on the underneath route and a disciplined deep third player can take away both levels of the flood. Man coverage with inside leverage on the backside post and a spy or extra rusher up front can shut down the backside answer and force a checkdown.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap reload motion to shift the bunch and force the defense to declare zone or man leverage before the snap.
Key on the flat defender immediately after the snap since the choice route breaks based on that defender's positioning, sitting or working outside.
This play excels on second and long or third and medium when defenses sit in Cover 3 shells expecting a quick game beater.
Pair this with Flood or Wheel Mills from the same set so defenses cannot key the reload motion and jump the route combination.
If the corner sinks deep on the flood side, look backside immediately to the post route for a big play against single high coverage.
