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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Curls Attack out of Shotgun Bunch is a curl-based zone beater that sends multiple receivers on curl routes at staggered depths to overload one side of the field. The bunch alignment creates natural rub release against man coverage while the staggered curl depths give the quarterback a clear high to low progression against zone drops. Primary read starts with the shortest curl breaking open first against Cover 3 or Cover 2 sink, then works up to the deeper curl if the underneath zone defender jumps the quick break.
Defensive Reads
Read the middle linebacker depth at the snap, because if he sinks hard into the deepest curl window it signals Cover 3 and you should attack the shallow curl immediately. Watch for a user controlled defender lurking in the shallow hook zone, since aggressive human players will often sit on the first curl route and jump the throw. Check safety rotation before the snap, because a single high safety indicates man or Cover 3 while two deep safeties suggest the flat defenders will squeeze the curls harder. Identify overload blitz packages from the bunch side, since Curls Attack loses its rhythm timing if the offensive line cannot handle a five or six man rush and the quarterback has to bail early. Beware of Cover 4 or Cover 6 shells with disciplined cornerbacks sitting on curl breaks, since these coverages are built specifically to take away the curl route depth and force you to check down.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a strafe to identify if the defense is showing zone or man before the snap, since the bunch alignment forces linebackers to declare their assignment early.
Attack the boundary side with Curls Attack when you see Cover 3 shells, because the underneath zone defenders in the flat and hook areas cannot cover all three staggered curls at once.
Hot route the backside receiver on a quick out or slant if the defense rolls a safety over the bunch, giving you a built-in answer against two high shells without needing to burn a play call.
Pair Curls Attack with Bunch Verts or PA Divide Wheels in your play-calling sequence, since the vertical shot threat forces defenders to respect the deep ball and opens up the curl windows underneath on the very next snap.
Run this on third and medium to third and long situations where sticky underneath coverage is common, since the layered curl depths naturally sit in the soft spots of a four man zone drop.
