Playbooks

Mesh Spot

Shotgun·Doubles Offset·11

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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetDoubles Offset

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense BackerattackerOffense

Breakdown

Mesh Spot out of Shotgun Doubles Offset combines a classic mesh concept underneath with a spot route tucked to one side, making it a premier man beater with built in zone answers. The two shallow crossers rub defenders and create natural separation against man coverage while the spot route (curl, flat, and corner combo) attacks zone drops and hook defenders. Primary read progression starts with the mesh crossers working low to high, then bumps to the spot concept if the mesh is taken away by a linebacker or nickel defender sitting underneath.

Defensive Reads

Read the middle linebacker or nickel defender's initial drop, if he sits on the mesh crossers your window closes fast and you need to reset to the spot concept. Check safety alignment pre-snap, two high shells generally leave the underneath mesh conditions cleaner since safeties stay deep, while single high invites a robber defender to sit in the mesh lane. Watch for a user controlled defender lurking near the shallow crossers, this is the biggest threat to Mesh Spot since a good user can jump the rub route and take it to the house. Man coverage with no help over the top gets shredded by the natural pick from the mesh, but tight bracket coverage on the spot side with a linebacker sinking under the curl can bait a bad throw. Blitz packages with six or more rushers force a quick decision, so identify if the mesh routes have separation immediately off the snap or bail to the check down since the protection may not hold up.

Usage Tips

Motion the offset back pre-snap to identify if the defense shifts to man or stays static in zone, this tells you whether to prioritize the mesh crossers or the spot side. Against man coverage, trust the mesh to create a natural pick, hold your throw a beat longer to let the rub develop before pulling the trigger. Against zone shells, work the spot concept flat to corner and use the curl sitting behind it as your zone beater if linebackers widen. Use this on second and medium to third and short since the mesh needs a full route stem to develop separation. Pair Mesh Spot with Drag Under or Slant Flat from this set to keep the same route distribution look while changing where the ball comes out, forcing the defense to guess based on formation alone. Hot route the backside receiver on a quick out if you see a corner blitz to give yourself an instant answer.