Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Charger Flood is a classic three-level flood concept to the closed side, designed to stretch a single side of the field vertically and horizontally against zone coverage. The backside receiver runs a deep crossing route while the inline receiver on that side breaks off a deep out, creating a natural clear-out away from the flood. To the flood side, the TE runs a deep clear-out route up the sideline, the outside receiver runs an intermediate out that sits under it, and the RB releases out of the backfield on a flat/wheel route that occupies the shallow zone. The primary read progression starts with the RB in the flat, works up to the intermediate out, then hits the deep clear route if the corner and safety both bite underneath, making this a strong Cover 3 beater that overloads the flat and curl-to-flat defenders.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the safety alignment: a single high safety confirms Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which struggle to defend the three-level flood since the corner has to choose between the deep clear route and the underneath out. Watch the flat defender at the snap, if he sits on the RB's flat route too long the intermediate out route will come open behind him for an easy pitch and catch. Key the curl-to-flat linebacker's drop, if he widens to take away the out route the RB will be wide open underneath in the flat. User the deep flood-side corner if playing defense, since he has to balance the deep clear route and the intermediate out, baiting the QB into a throw he can jump. This concept struggles against Cover 4 or Cover 6 shells with two deep safeties over the flood side, since the extra deep defender can sink onto the intermediate out while the corner stays on top of the clear route, so expect the QB to work the backside crosser in those situations.
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1 pre-snap since the three-level flood on one side overwhelms a single flat defender and curl-to-flat player.
Use the RB flat route as your first read on quick throws when you face pressure looks, then progress to the intermediate out route for a rhythm throw against soft zone drops.
Hot route the backside crosser into a deeper dig if you see the defense rolling coverage away from the flood, this keeps a vertical answer on the backside if the flood gets jumped.
Pair this with Charger Y-Sail and Charger Cross from the same set so the defense has to respect both flood concepts and crossing routes out of an identical formation, keeping linebackers and safeties guessing on which way the flood is coming.
Best used on second and medium or third and short to medium since the underneath flat and out routes give quick, high percentage throws while the deep clear route stays live as a big play option.
