Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
Spacing out of Shotgun Bunch Spread is a horizontal stretch concept designed to attack zone coverage sitting shallow. The diagram shows the bunch receiver on the outside running a hitch at the sideline, the middle bunch receiver breaking underneath on a quick out, and the inside bunch man running an out and up (corner) route from the stack that climbs vertically after the initial break. The backside receiver runs a shallow drag across the field while the running back releases on a check release flare to the flat, giving the quarterback a five level stretch from sideline to sideline that is built to beat Cover 3 and Cover 4 by putting stress on the flat and curl defenders. Primary progression starts with the corner route out of the bunch working to the sideline hitch, then works down to the shallow drag and check release as underneath outlets against zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check corner alignment on the bunch, if corners are playing soft zone technique off the line, this signals Cover 3 or Cover 4 and the hitch and out routes will be open in the soft spots underneath. Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sinks hard to cover the shallow drag or the corner route from the bunch, the underneath spacing routes get congested and forces a quicker sideline read. Key the flat defender's reaction to the check release running back, a slow trigger from the flat defender opens up the drag and out combo for an easy pitch and catch. This concept struggles against man coverage with underneath lurk defenders sitting on crossing routes, if you see man match principles or a rat in the hole, expect the shallow drag to get jumped. Blitz packages that bring five or six rushers with a spy on the running back neutralize the check release outlet, forcing the quarterback to hold the ball and rely on the sideline hitch or corner route breaking open late.
Usage Tips
Identify the coverage shell pre-snap by checking safety depth, if you see two deep safeties with corners playing off, expect Cover 4 zone drops and target the hitch and out routes sitting in the soft spots.
Use the shallow drag as your hot route answer against Cover 3 sink coverage where the flat defender widens late, giving you an easy completion underneath the linebackers.
On third and short to medium, this play is ideal because the spacing concept forces defenders to declare zone or man leverage, and the quick game gets the ball out before pressure arrives.
Pair Spacing with Mtn Slot Hitch or Curl Flat in your play calling sequence to keep the defense guessing between quick spacing stretches and curl flat combos out of the same bunch look.
Against aggressive user blitzers, hot route the running back to a quick flare or check the drag first since the concept lacks a deep answer and can get exposed by delayed pressure.
