Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RNS Switch Curl out of Shotgun Flanker Close is a five man protection pass concept built around a switch release on the boundary side. The two receivers on the left run a crossing switch release, with one working underneath into a curl and the other releasing vertically up the sideline after crossing paths at the stem, creating natural rub leverage against man coverage. On the strong side, the flanker runs a deep corner route while the inside receiver runs an out breaking curl to the sideline, giving the quarterback a high low read on that side. Primary progression starts with the switch release curl on the weak side, then works to the strong side curl, and finally the deep corner as a shot option if a defender bites on the underneath routes.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, identify if the defense is showing Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell. Two high safeties with soft corners signal the curls will have room to sit down in the void underneath the deep zones. Watch the flat defender on the strong side. If he widens with the flanker's release, the underneath curl from the slot receiver becomes wide open in the vacated flat. Key the weak side linebacker or nickel defender at the mesh point of the switch release. Man coverage defenders who try to fight through the switch often get picked, so if you see man alignment pre snap this play is a strong call. Beware of Cover 3 sky or buzz looks where a safety rotates down to the flat, since that extra body can jump the strong side curl route. Post snap, watch for a user controlled defender lurking in the middle of the field. If the user sits at the switch release crossing point, the corner route on the outside becomes the better bail out throw.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and medium when you expect zone coverage since the switch release creates natural picks against man defenders trailing across the field.
Check the corner and safety depth pre snap. If you see two deep safeties in a shell, prioritize the strong side curl since the corner route will be capped.
Hot route the backside curl into a deeper dig if you are facing Cover 3 with a sitting flat defender, since that curl sits right in the flat zone's landmark.
Pair this play with RNS Switch Dig and RNS Switch Curl Flat in your play calling sequence so the defense cannot key on the switch release without respecting multiple route depths off the same look.
Use play action shots sparingly off this same formation look, such as PA Curl Drag, to keep linebackers honest before coming back to this curl concept on a crucial down.
