Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Flood attacks one side of the field with three routes stacked at different depths, creating a true three-level flood concept out of Empty Ace. The backside receiver runs a deep dig across the middle to hold the far safety, while the frontside stack has a receiver clearing vertically on a deep out or corner, a receiver working an intermediate out breaking to the sideline, and a third receiver running a flat route underneath. With five receivers out and no protection help, this is a quick-timing, pure passing concept built to overload zone defenders on one side, and the deep dig serves as the primary read progression starter before working down to the intermediate out and flat as the flood underneath fills.
Defensive Reads
Look pre-snap for single high safety alignment and soft outside cornerback depth, both of which signal Cover 3 and make the flood side vulnerable. Watch the flat defender at the snap: his depth and width tell you whether he is sinking to take away the out or staying home on the flat route. If the defense shows two deep safeties pre-snap, expect the corner route to be capped, so prioritize the intermediate out and flat combo instead. Beware of Cover 4 or Cover 2 Man shells with underneath robber technique, since a user-controlled linebacker can sit in the flat and jump the shallow route. Blitz-heavy fronts with man coverage on the backside dig can be deadly if the protection breaks down, so check the box count before the snap.
Usage Tips
Use this against Cover 3 or Cover 2 shells, since the flood side stresses the deep third or deep half defender with three routes stacked at different levels.
Read the flat defender first: if he sinks with the flat route, the intermediate out will be open behind him, and if he jumps the out route, the flat is wide open.
Since there is no run support or extra protection, get the ball out on time, ideally within a 2.5 to 3 second window, to avoid free rushers off the edge.
Pair this with Curl Flats or Stick from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick flood concepts and shorter option routes without changing personnel or formation.
Best called on third and medium to third and long when you need a defined sideline route combo and want to isolate a single defender in space.
