Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Z Swirl Choice comes out of Bunch Spread Nasty in Shotgun with a bunch alignment to the right and a lone receiver to the left. Off the snap, the outside receiver from the bunch runs a corner route (red) while the middle bunch receiver runs the swirl choice route, sitting or working outward based on the leverage of the underneath defender (yellow flat/out). The inside bunch receiver clears vertically up the seam, and the backside receiver runs a deep comeback while the running back releases on a wheel route out of the backfield. This is a man beater built around option routes and natural bunch traffic that creates rubs, with the primary read starting on the choice route for the quick access throw before working to the corner and wheel as the play develops.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flow of the underneath defender assigned to the bunch choice receiver, since his leverage dictates whether the route sits or breaks outward, and jumping that route early can bait a pick six against aggressive user defenders. Key the safety rotation after the snap, since a two high shell that rotates down to double the corner route can leave the choice route and wheel wide open underneath. Man coverage with no help over the top on the corner route is the biggest vulnerability, so if the defense shows single high with man match principles, expect the corner and wheel to win late. Zone defenses that sit soft in the flat can take away the choice route, so respect the underneath defender sitting at the sticks and be ready to climb the progression to the corner or backside comeback. Blitz-heavy fronts that bring extra rushers off the edge can disrupt timing on the wheel and corner, so account for late-arriving blitzers when the quarterback has to hold the ball for the choice route to develop.
Usage Tips
Presnap, identify if the defense is showing man coverage across the bunch, since the natural pick and option route are designed to defeat man leverage and create instant separation. If you see a single high safety with corners playing outside leverage, throw the choice route quickly before the underneath defender can trail. Use the hot route to convert the choice receiver into a hard out if you see hard inside trail technique from a nickel or linebacker. This play works best on third and short to third and medium since the choice route is designed to settle in soft spots against zone or break away from man. Pair this with Z Swirl In from the same set to keep defenders guessing on the swirl receiver's break, and sequence it with Orbit Bunch Salem or Cheat Slot Cross to attack the same bunch look with different releases and keep the defense honest.
