Playbooks
Breakdown
Corner Strike is a two-way go passing concept out of Shotgun Doubles Y-Flex with 11 personnel. To the right, the outside receiver runs a corner route while the slot receiver underneath crosses into a shallow out to the flat, and the same crossing shallow-to-out combo mirrors on the left side with the outside receiver breaking deep to the sideline. This is a man beater concept, since the corner route stems away from trail technique while the shallow drag underneath clears space for it, and the primary read progression starts with the corner route to whichever side the coverage is weaker, then works down to the underneath out or shallow crosser if the corner is taken away.
Defensive Reads
Watch the cornerback alignment pre-snap, since press man coverage on the outside receivers signals a great opportunity for the corner route to win over the top. Key the flat defender or curl to flat zone player post-snap, because if he sinks with the shallow crosser instead of jumping outside, the corner route window opens immediately. Против zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, the corner route can get squeezed by a deep quarter or curl defender, so be ready to check down to the underdeath out route instead of forcing the corner throw. Look for a user lurk defender sitting in the intermediate middle, since he can jump the shallow crossing routes if the quarterback stares them down too long. If the defense brings a blitz off the edge, the shallow crossers become the quick answer, but the offensive line has to hold up on the backside protection for the corner route to fully develop downfield.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify which safety is shaded to a single high look versus a two high shell, since Corner Strike thrives against single high man coverage where the corner route can attack the void behind the flat defender.
If the defense shows two high safeties, hot route the backside corner into a deep dig or hitch to avoid throwing into a natural zone beater bust.
Use this play on second and medium to second and long, since the corner route needs time to develop and the shallow crossers give you a checkdown against a blitz look.
Pair Corner Strike with Four Verticals or PA Deep Outs earlier in a series so defenders start jumping the corner route, then punish a hard outside jump with the underneath shallow route sitting in the vacated area.
Combine with HB Draw or RPO Zone Peek on early downs to keep linebackers honest, making the corner route hit even bigger once the defense starts respecting the run fake.
