Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mesh Spot out of Shotgun Doubles Z Close lines up with three receivers to the boundary side and one receiver removed to the field. The two inside receivers run a classic mesh crossing pattern underneath while the outside receiver from the trips side runs a deep vertical up the numbers, and the single receiver on the other side runs a vertical clear route up the sideline. This is a proven man beater that also stresses zone thanks to the natural pick action created by the mesh crossers, and the primary read progression starts with the shallow mesh combo before working out to the deep vertical shot if the safety bites down.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense has two safeties deep or one safety in the middle, since a single high safety often signals Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which the mesh crossers can exploit with proper spacing. Watch for a user-controlled defender sitting in the shallow zone or spying the mesh combo, as a smart user will look to jump the crossing routes and undercut the shallow read for a big play. Key the linebacker depth before the snap, since linebackers playing tight to the line of scrimmage will struggle to carry the mesh crossers and open up the underneath completion. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest vulnerability, as the natural pick from the mesh routes typically forces a defender to fight through traffic and get picked off the route. Cover 2 shells with aggressive corners jumping short routes can shut this down quickly, so watch the flat defenders and be ready to climb the progression to the deep vertical routes if the mesh gets clogged.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check for man coverage indicators like press corners or a linebacker walked out over your slot, since the mesh combo creates natural rubs that spring receivers open against man defenders.
Use motion across the formation before the snap to identify if the defense is in man or zone, and if you see two-deep shells, be ready to work the shallow mesh crossers quickly before the underneath defenders can sink and reroute.
Hot route the deep vertical receiver into a deep drag or curl if you are facing a heavy Cover 3 shell to give yourself an easier zone beater read against the deep third defender.
This play pairs well with Double Slant Spot in the same set since both attack underneath zones quickly, and alternating between the two keeps linebackers and slot corners guessing on whether to sit or run with crossers.
Use this play on third and medium to third and long situations since the mesh concept naturally creates yards after catch opportunities against both man and zone coverage looks.
