Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Curl Flats out of Shotgun Doubles Flex is a quick-hitting pass concept built around three-level flat-to-curl reads. The backside receiver runs a deep curl at roughly twelve yards while the flat defender underneath him releases outside on a shallow flat route, and the front side single receiver stretches vertically up the numbers on a go route to hold the deep half. This is a zone beater designed to attack the void between the flat defender and the curl/hook zone dropper, with the primary read progression starting at the flat route, working up to the curl, and using the vertical go as a clear-out.
Defensive Reads
Identify if the flat defender is sitting shallow or bailing into a deeper zone drop, since a shallow drop signals Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells that this play is designed to beat. Watch the underneath linebacker or nickel defender responsible for the curl window, if he widens with the flat route you have a clean throwing lane to the curl sitting down at twelve yards. Key the deep safety rotation before the snap, a two-high shell that stays split post-snap tells you the go route is drawing extra attention and the curl should be open. Beware Cover 2 man under looks where the flat defender jumps the route immediately, since a hard user jump on the flat can bait a bad throw. Man coverage with no underneath help on the curl route is where this play gets shut down fastest, so look for a linebacker manned up tight to the curl receiver as a sign to check into a different concept.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for two-high or single-high shells since this concept thrives against zone coverage that leaves the flat and curl window soft. Use the vertical go route on the front side to occupy the deep half safety and open space for the curl sitting behind it. Hot route the flat defender's man if you see man coverage press at the line, since the curl can get picked off by an aggressive underneath defender in man. Sequence this play with Slants or Drag Unders to keep the defense guessing between quick underneath rhythm throws and this curl flat stretch. Best used on second and medium or third and short where the flat and curl combo gives you a high floor completion with a chance to pick up the sticks.
