Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 17 playbooks
Breakdown
Flanker Drive out of Bunch Str Nasty in Shotgun sends the two inside bunch receivers on a drive concept: one runs a deep in/drive route across the field while the other clears out underneath with a flat route to the opposite side, creating a natural high low read. The outside receiver from the bunch pushes vertical up the seam before breaking outside on a corner route, stretching the deep quarter of the field. The blue route shows the running back releasing on a check release up the middle as a checkdown option. This is a Cover 4 beater designed to attack the seams and flood one side, with the primary read starting on the corner route against the deep defender and working down to the drive route crossing underneath if the quarters safety sinks.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap identify two high safeties splitting toward the numbers, this usually signals Cover 4 or Cover 2 shell which this play is built to attack. Watch the corner over the bunch at the snap, if he sinks with the vertical release the corner route should have room to sit down for the throw. Key the flat defender and any linebacker dropping to the drive route level, if they collision the underdneath crosser early it may signal a man match or Cover 6 rotation. Man coverage with press alignment on the outside receiver is vulnerable to the corner route winning over the top, but a robber or lurking safety sitting in the middle of the field can jump the drive route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Blitz heavy fronts with man coverage behind them are the toughest matchup here since the drive route and flat both need time to develop, so use the running back check release as your answer versus pressure.
Usage Tips
Look for Cover 4 or quarters shells pre snap since this play is tagged specifically as a Cover 4 beater and the corner route is designed to split the safety and corner. If the corner sits deep, work your drive route on the crossing route since it will be sitting in the void behind underneath zone defenders. Use motion out of the bunch to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows across the formation it confirms man coverage and you can lean on the drive route winning versus a trailing defender. This play pairs well with Corndog Trail or Y Trail from the same set since both hit similar levels but attack different sides, keeping the defense honest on flow. Best called on second and medium or third and long when you need to stretch a defense vertically and horizontally at the same time. Use the running back check release as your hot route answer versus pressure looks since he stays in as an outlet against blitz packages.
