Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mesh Spot out of Shotgun Bunch X Nasty lines up the bunch trio with two crossing routes underneath (the mesh) while the third bunch receiver runs a spot route to the flat, sitting right at the sticks. The backside X runs a solo vertical go route up the numbers to hold the deep defender and open up the mesh crossers underneath. This is a classic man beater that also stresses zone defenders with natural traffic created by the two shallow crossers rubbing through the middle of the field.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a single high safety shell pre-snap since that usually signals man coverage underneath, which plays right into the mesh crossers rubbing off defenders. Identify if linebackers are sitting in shallow zone drops since that clogs the mesh lanes and forces you to check down to the spot route instead. Key on the flat defender's depth after the snap because a hard squat on the spot route means the mesh crossers likely have room to work against trailing coverage. Watch for a user-controlled defender lurking in the shallow middle zone, since a smart user can jump the mesh crossers and bait a turnover if the quarterback stares them down. This play struggles against Cover 3 with disciplined underneath zone drops or against a well-timed man blitz that beats the mesh before receivers cross paths.
Usage Tips
Read the flat defender first since the spot route sits down in the void and is your quick answer against zone coverage.
If you see press man or a single high safety pre-snap, work the mesh crossers immediately since the natural pick action creates instant separation against man defenders trailing across the formation.
Use the backside go route as a field-stretcher against Cover 3 or Cover 1 to hold the free safety and open up the intermediate crossers underneath.
Pair this play with Mesh Traffic or Mtn Mesh Cross from the same set to keep defenders guessing on whether the crossers will settle or continue running, forcing hesitation in man coverage.
Call this on third and short to medium since the spot route is designed to sit at the sticks for an easy conversion if the mesh is taken away.
