Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 14 playbooks
Breakdown
Cheat Flood lines up out of Shotgun Bunch Spread Nasty with a bunch to the right and a receiver plus back to the left. Pre-snap motion adjusts the bunch spacing before the ball is snapped, then the three-man flood to the right stacks a deep corner route, a square-in from the middle bunch receiver, and a flat route from the inside man to stretch the right sideline vertically and horizontally. On the backside, the single receiver runs a deep dig while the back releases to the flat, giving you a full field flood concept designed to gash Cover 3 by overloading one zone with three levels. The primary read progression starts with the deep corner route to see if the flat defender bites, then works down to the square-in window before checking the flat as a safety valve.
Defensive Reads
Key the flat defender at the snap since he has to choose between the flat route and the square-in, and whichever he leaves open is your throw. Watch the deep third defender on the flood side, if he widens with the corner route the square-in window opens up immediately behind him. Check the backside safety depth before the snap, a single high safety indicates Cover 3 or Cover 1 which this concept is built to attack. If the defense shows two deep safeties pre-snap, expect the corner route to be capped so prioritize the square-in and flat combo instead. Watch for a user lurk defender sitting in the square-in window, since smart users will jump that route knowing it is the primary read against zone.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense rotates into man or stays zone, since the motion will often trigger a linebacker or safety to declare coverage. Against Cover 3, hit the square-in over the flat defender's drop since the corner route will hold the deep third defender. If you see Cover 2, throw the corner route with anticipation before the safety can rotate over the top. Pair this play with Cheat Slot Cross or Cheat HB Slip Screen in your play calling sequence so the defense cannot sit on the flood concept every snap. Best used on second and medium or third and short to medium since the quick flat and square-in give you easy completion options underneath the flood.
