Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Weak Flood is a three level flood concept run to the boundary side of a Doubles Y-Flex Offset shotgun formation, designed to overload one side of the field against zone coverage. The outside receiver runs a deep corner route, the slot receiver runs an intermediate crossing route back across the formation, and the offset TE releases into the flat, stacking three defenders vertically on one side while the backside X receiver runs a shallow drag away from the flood. The RB stays in to chip and check release out of the backfield as a blitz valve. This is a zone beater, particularly effective against Cover 3, with the primary read progressing from the deep corner route down to the flat route underneath.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety shells pre-snap, since Cover 3 leaves the flood side deep third defender in conflict between the corner route and the crossing route. Watch the curl-flat defender post-snap, as he must choose between sitting on the flat route or carrying the crosser, opening a throwing lane either way. Key on user controlled defenders lurking underneath the crosser, since a jumped route here can lead to a pick six against overzealous zone drops. Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties compress the corner route window and force the quarterback to hold the ball longer, making this play more vulnerable to a delayed blitz. Man coverage with inside leverage on the slot receiver can undercut the crossing route, so check for press alignment on the slot before snapping.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion with the backside X to identify man versus zone before the snap, since a defender following the motion man confirms man coverage and takes away the flood advantage. Look for Cover 3 shells with a single high safety, since the corner route will stress the deep third defender while the flat route occupies the curl-flat defender underneath. Progress read from the deep corner to the intermediate crosser to the flat route, resetting your eyes quickly if the first window is closed. Hot route the RB to a swing or check release against overload blitzes off the flood side edge to protect the QB. Pair Weak Flood with Four Verticals or PA Read from the same set to keep defenses honest, since both plays attack the same Cover 3 shell but punish different levels of the defense.
