Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Reload Spacing Switch is a spacing-concept pass play out of Shotgun Bunch Open Offset that stresses zone defenders horizontally on the trips side while running a switch release on the backside. On the left the three receivers execute a classic spacing combo, one settling in the flat, one sitting on the sideline as an outlet, and one running a vertical stem into a hook/curl window over the bunch. On the right the two isolated receivers cross release in a switch, with the outside man breaking to the corner and the inside man working an out to the flat, creating natural man beater separation. The primary read progression starts with the switch concept for a hot man beater shot, then comes back to the spacing side working sideline to flat to the hook read against zone.
Defensive Reads
Identify single-high safety alignment pre-snap, this usually signals Cover 3 and means the hook sitter and flat defender are your friends since spacing exploits the seams between zone drops. Watch the corner over the switch concept, if he presses and mirrors the release he is likely in man coverage, meaning your switch corner route should win quickly against off-leverage. Key the flat defender on the bunch side after the snap, if he sinks too deep chasing the vertical stem you have an easy throw to the sideline outlet or the flat route underneath him. Look for a lurking linebacker or safety sitting in the hook zone, this is the primary threat to the spacing concept's middle read and can bait an interception if you force the ball there against Cover 4. If you see a blitz look with the defense showing pressure off the edge, get the ball out quickly to the switch side flat route or the bunch flat man since both routes develop fast and beat blitz timing.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for two-high versus single-high safety, this play punishes both Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells because the spacing concept occupies underneath zone defenders while the switch creates a natural pick against man coverage.
If you see man coverage indicators like tight press alignment on the switch side, start your read there since the switch release almost always creates a step of separation for the corner route or the out.
Against zone, work the sideline to flat read first on the bunch side, then climb to the hook sitter who should find a soft spot between the linebacker and safety zone drops.
Use motion pre-snap if available to identify if the defense is playing man (defenders will shift with the motion) or zone (defenders will hold their landmarks), this confirms which side of the concept to attack.
Pair this play with Duo or Inside Zone out of the same set to keep defenses honest on early downs, then dial up Reload Spacing Switch on second or third and medium once you have established the run and drawn linebackers up.
Other Plays in Bunch Open Offset
Dig ReturnDig, Motion, Pass Play
DuoDuo, Run Play, Power Run
Fake Screen VerticalsPlay Action, Screen Pass, Four Verts +3
FloodFlood, Pass Play, Cover 3 Beater
HB DrawDraw, Run Play
Inside ZoneInside Zone, Run Play, Zone Run
Lead Swing SpotSwing, Spot, Pass Play +1- Mesh Corner
Mesh SpotSpot, Mesh, Pass Play +2
Reload Flood X-ChoiceOption Route, Flood, Motion +2
Reload Inside ZoneInside Zone, Motion, Run Play +1
RPO Alert OutRPO, Out, Pass Play +1
RPO Peek WR ScreenScreen Pass, Wr Screen, RPO +2
RPO Read BubbleRPO, Pass Play, Run Play- RPO Trap Alert ScreenTrap, Screen Pass, RPO +3
Wheel MillsWheel, Mills, Pass Play +1
Y TrailTrail, Pass Play
Z SpotSpot, Pass Play, Cover 3 Beater