Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
Curl Flat out of Shotgun Bunch Spread aligns the bunch to the right with the isolated receiver split left running a vertical stem into a curl at the top of the route. From the bunch, the outside receiver clears vertically on a go route to stretch the deep third, the middle bunch receiver runs a quick curl that sits down in the intermediate zone, and the inside bunch receiver releases to the flat. The backside receiver runs a short in-cut to occupy the underneath defender on that side, while the running back checks protection off the mesh point. This is a classic zone beater built around the curl flat combo, attacking Cover 2 and Cover 3 by putting the flat defender and curl defender in conflict, with the primary read progression going flat to curl to backside in.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and corner alignment on the bunch side to determine if it is a two deep zone shell or a single high look, since this concept is designed to exploit Cover 2 and Cover 3. Watch the flat defender post-snap, if he sinks into the curl window, the flat route is wide open underneath him. Key the curl defender's drop, in Cover 2 he often has to choose between the curl and the vertical go route from the outside bunch receiver, creating a natural window. Against man coverage, the vertical go route can act as a pick element in the bunch, so watch for user defenders getting rerouted or picked off the stack. This concept struggles against aggressive man press with a robber underneath, since the curl and flat routes have no room to sit down if a linebacker or safety is sitting in the short middle reading the quarterback's eyes.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two deep safeties or single high, since this concept is built specifically to punish Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells.
If the flat defender sinks with the curl route, throw the flat immediately for a quick, low risk completion and move the chains.
If the corner or flat defender jumps the flat route, come back to the curl sitting in the void behind him for a bigger gain.
Use this play on third and short to medium distance where the flat and curl both offer high percentage completions against zone drops.
Pair this play with Mtn Slot Hitch or Mtn Snag Under from the same set to keep the defense honest against both zone and man coverage looks without changing formation.
