Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mesh Z-Option lines up out of Bunch TE in Shotgun with the bunch running a classic mesh crossing concept underneath while the Z receiver works an option route off the mesh point, sitting or breaking based on the leverage of the man covering him. The two outside bunch receivers cross low and settle or run off vertically depending on route depth, and the backside receiver runs a corner route stretching the defense vertically, while the HB releases out of the backfield on a wheel route to the flat and up the sideline. This is a true man beater concept built to create natural picks at the mesh point and confuse man defenders with the option route read, with the QB progression starting at the Z option, then working to the mesh crossers, and finally the HB wheel as the outlet against a blown coverage or overload blitz.
Defensive Reads
Watch the safety depth before the snap, a single high safety usually signals man coverage which is exactly what this mesh concept is designed to punish. Key the corner over the Z receiver, if he is playing tight press you want the Z option to break vertical immediately for a big gain. Post snap, identify any user controlled defender sitting in the mesh lane looking to jump the crossers, if he commits early check down to the HB wheel late. Cover 3 with aggressive underneath zone drops can clog the mesh crossers, so recognize zone drops quickly and lean on the Z option settling into the soft spot. Blitz heavy fronts should be picked up by the mesh traffic disrupting rushers, but watch for a lurking linebacker sitting on the mesh depth who can undercut the crossers if the QB holds the ball too long.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and medium when you expect man coverage since the mesh point picks are designed to rub off man defenders.
Read the Z option first because his break versus press man or off man dictates the entire timing of the play, sit him down against off coverage and push vertical against press.
If you see a single high safety rotate down, expect man underneath and trust the mesh crossers to come open off the natural traffic.
Use the HB wheel as your answer versus zone blitzes or when the underneath crossers are jumped, it is a big play outlet down the sideline.
Pair this with Bunch Levels or Mtn Mesh from the same set so the defense sees similar bunch alignment but has to defend a different stress point, keeping linebackers and corners guessing on route combination.
