Playbooks
Mtn Curl Flat Corner
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Curl Flat Corner is a bunch trips concept out of Shotgun Bunch Spread that sends the backside receiver on a jet motion across the formation before running an under route toward the flat, while the bunch releases a curl, a flat, and a corner route on the play side. The backside X on the far left runs a deep comeback breaking route while the outlet blocker stays in to protect. This is a zone beater built to attack Cover 2 and Cover 3 by stacking three levels vertically on the play side, with the corner route working over the top, the curl sitting in the intermediate zone, and the flat stretching underneath. Primary read progression starts at the corner route to attack the deep half or deep third defender, works down to the curl for the sit read against zone drops, and finishes with the flat as the checkdown against a hard blitz.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check the strength of the safety alignment on the bunch side since a two high shell signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 while a single high safety signals Cover 3 or Cover 1. Watch the corner aligned over the bunch receivers, if he sinks deep at the snap he is playing zone and the curl route becomes the primary throw window. Key the flat defender, if a linebacker or nickel jumps the flat route immediately it usually means the defense is in Cover 3 or a zone blitz look, which opens the corner route behind him. Post-snap, identify any user controlled defender sitting in the middle of the field acting as a lurk threat over the curl route, since that defender can jump the sit read and bait a turnover. This play struggles against disguised Cover 4 rotations where the corner route gets doubled by a deep defender and the flat defender still covers the underneath, so have a run or quick game answer ready if you see a two high shell that rotates late.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify if the defense shifts a defender across, which reveals man coverage versus a static zone shell.
Attack Cover 2 by throwing the corner route immediately off the snap before the safety can get over the top, since the corner and curl create a natural high low on the deep half defender.
Against Cover 3, work the curl route as your primary read since it settles into the soft spot behind the underneath zone and in front of the deep third defender.
Pair this play with Mtn Slot Hitch or Mtn Slot Out in the same set to keep the same bunch look while changing route depths and forcing the defense to guess.
Best called on second and medium or third and short to medium where the curl and flat combo gives you multiple completion windows underneath the sticks.
Use the flat route as your hot route answer versus blitz looks since it clears out fast and gives you a quick outlet against pressure.
