Playbooks
Breakdown
Curl Flats out of Shotgun Doubles is a classic three level pass concept designed to attack zone coverage with a curl and flat combo to one side and a vertical clear out route to the other. The diagram shows the outside receiver on the right running a curl route to the flat area's boundary route while the flat route underneath occupies the low zone, and on the backside the outside receiver runs a straight vertical to clear space and hold the safety. This is primarily a zone beater that stresses the flat defender with a high low read: the primary progression is flat route first to check the underneath defender, then curl route sitting down in the void behind him, with the deep vertical as a shot play window against single high shells.
Defensive Reads
Look for two high safety shells presnap, this often signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 which leaves the flat defender exposed to the high low stretch that this play is designed to exploit. If the defense shows single high safety alignment, respect the deep vertical clear out route as a legitimate shot play threat and expect the corner to play with less help over the top. Watch cornerback press alignment on the outside, aggressive press man technique can disrupt the timing of the curl route and force a hot route adjustment before the snap. Post snap key the flat defender's zone drop, if he sinks too quickly into the curl window the flat route will be wide open for an easy pitch and catch. Beware user controlled lurk defenders sitting in the shallow curl zone, a smart user player will bait the quarterback into the curl throw and jump the route, so double clutch the throw if you see a defender hovering unnaturally in that area.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify if the defense is showing zone or man, this concept struggles against tight man coverage with no natural pick so look to hot route the flat into a quick out or slant if you see man alignment on the outside corners.
Use this play on second or third and short to medium situations where the curl flat combo can pick up the sticks quickly against zone drops.
If the safety cheats to the vertical clear out route side, work your eyes back to the curl flat combo immediately since the underneath defenders will have help removed.
Pair this play with Curl Combo or Curls Slot Shake in your play calling sequence to keep the defense guessing on which side the flat route or curl route will be the primary target.
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if you see a linebacker sink hard into the curl window, check down to the flat route for a safer completion instead of forcing the ball into a shrinking throwing lane.
