Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Corner Divide out of Shotgun Bunch Wide sends the bunch into a divide concept with the outside receiver running a corner route, the middle bunch receiver working a deep crosser back across the field, and the inside bunch receiver sitting on a quick out to the flat. The backside receiver runs a vertical seam to stretch the field and hold the safety. The lone running back releases on a wheel route out of the backfield, giving the quarterback a five man route concept with layered depth. This is primarily a man beater, using the divide crossing action to create natural rub separation while the corner route attacks off man coverage leverage, though the flat and wheel combo also gives answers against zone drops underneath.
Defensive Reads
Key the single high safety before the snap, if he rotates late toward the corner route side you are likely facing a man concept that this play is designed to beat. Watch the flat defender at the snap, if he sinks with the crosser instead of jumping the flat route, the quick out becomes wide open. Identify any late blitzers off the edge, since the running back wheel route can be picked off by a blitzing linebacker if he stays home instead of rushing. Zone shells with two deep safeties can shut this down if the corner route runner gets doubled, so look for the divide crosser settling in the void between zone landmarks as the answer. Lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field are the biggest threat to the crossing route, so user control there will bait the quarterback into a turnover if he forces the throw.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second and long or third and medium when you need a explosive gain over the middle or up the sideline. Pre-snap, check if the defense shows man coverage with corners aligned tight on the bunch, since the crossing divide route naturally picks off trailing defenders. Hot route the flat receiver into a quick hitch if you see a blitz look, giving the quarterback a fast release valve against pressure. Watch the backside safety before the snap, if he cheats to the single receiver vertical route, the corner route in the bunch should be your first read. Pair this with Curl Flat or Slot Hook from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game and deep shots off identical bunch alignment.
