Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Curl Flats out of Shotgun Empty Y Slot is a five man route concept with no running back in the backfield, spreading the defense horizontally across the formation. The backside receiver runs a deep curl off a vertical stem while the slot receiver on that side releases into the flat underneath, and the receiver aligned as the number 1 on the strong side (marked with the red route) pushes vertically up the seam as the clear out or explosive shot option. The remaining receivers work an out breaking route and a curl in the middle of the field, giving the quarterback a full field, high low read concept that attacks both man and zone coverage with the flat and curl combo while the vertical route stresses deep defenders.
Defensive Reads
Match your slot cornerback or nickel to the flat route with outside leverage to force the quarterback to hold the ball longer against man coverage. Play a robber or lurk defender underneath the curl route in the middle of the field, this take away the primary high percentage read and forces a check down. Against Cover 3, drop your flat defender with eyes on the running back area and widen your curl defender's zone drop to squeeze the window between the flat and curl. Watch the vertical seam route on the strong side, if your deep safety jumps the curl route too early the vertical route will be uncontested behind him. Bring pressure with a nano blitz off the weak side edge since the empty backfield removes any blocking help, forcing a quick throw before the route concepts fully develop.
Usage Tips
Read the vertical route first on any snap where the safety shows single high or bites on run action, since that route can turn into an explosive play if the corner presses or the safety cheats to the opposite hash.
If the defense shows two high safeties pre snap, work the curl flat combo on the side away from extra defenders since that side is designed to beat both man and zone coverage.
Use the flat route as your quick game answer against blitz looks, it releases fast and gives the quarterback an outlet before pressure arrives off the edge.
Pair this play with Four Verticals and Stick from the same set so the defense cannot sit on the curl flat combo, forcing linebackers to respect vertical stems every snap.
This play works best on second and medium to third and medium since the curl route settles right around the sticks and the flat route provides a checkdown if the defense drops into a deep shell.
