Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Corner Strike out of Shotgun Doubles is a two-man route concept on the diagram with the backside receiver running a deep corner route breaking outside toward the sideline while the frontside slot receiver runs a corner route of his own on that side, with the outside receiver on the right running a deep out and the checkdown receiver running a shallow out underneath. The QB has an isolated post-snap read to either side, working corner-flat leverage against the cornerback. This is primarily a man beater that attacks off man leverage with high-low corner and flat combos, though it can stress zone defenders who sink too deep on the corner route and leave the flat open underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the corner is aligned inside or outside leverage, since outside leverage invites the corner route while inside leverage suggests they are sitting on it. Watch for a single-high safety rotating late to the corner route side, which signals man coverage with a deep help defender ready to jump the throw. Post-snap, key the flat defender's drop, if he sinks too far under the corner route he opens a passing window underneath for the checkdown. This concept struggles against Cover 3 with a hard flat defender and a deep third corner sitting on the sideline throw, so avoid forcing the corner route into that shell. Watch for user-controlled defenders lurking in the intermediate zone who can jump the corner route break, especially against defenses that disguise coverage post-snap.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap to see if you are getting two-high or single-high shells, since corner routes need soft coverage or blown leverage to work against man press.
If the cornerback is playing tight man with no safety help over the top, target the corner route immediately off the catch point before the safety can rotate over.
Use the flat route as your checkdown against zone defenses that sit underneath and take away the corner throw with a deep half safety.
Pair this play with Curl Flats or Slant Flat in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect both intermediate and deep sideline throws off similar formations.
Best called on second and long or third and medium situations where the defense is more likely to play zone coverage and give you the corner-flat read.
