Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RNS Switch Curl Flat out of Shotgun Flanker Close runs a switch release on the boundary side, where the outside receiver runs a flat route underneath while the inside receiver crosses over the top into a curl at the sticks, creating a natural rub to shake man coverage. On the backside, the lone receiver runs a shallow out that breaks upfield into a corner-angled route, stretching the defense horizontally and vertically on that side. This is a zone and man beater concept built on the curl flat combo, with the primary read starting on the switch release side: check the flat defender first, then work to the curl sitting behind him if the flat is taken away.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender post-snap since he determines your first progression: if he sinks with the curl, throw the flat immediately, if he jumps the flat, come back to the curl behind him. Check safety depth pre-snap since a two-high shell signals Cover 2 or Cover 4, which softens the curl flat combo but opens the backside out and up route for a bigger gain. Look for a cornerback pressed on the switch release side since aggressive man coverage there gets rubbed off by the crossing action, so expect the curl to break open quickly. Identify any nano blitz packages or overload pressure to the switch side pre-snap since the quarterback needs a clean pocket to read through the flat to curl progression. If the defense rotates to a single high safety post-snap, expect Cover 3 underneath, which makes the flat route the higher percentage look since the curl may sit in a shrinking zone window.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing Cover 2 or Cover 3 shell since the curl flat combo on the switch side is designed to exploit the flat defender's conflict in both shells.
If you see man coverage, trust the switch release to create natural separation and target the curl route as your first option since the rub disrupts the defender's positioning.
Use hot routes to adjust the backside receiver into a hitch or slant if you diagnose a hard corner sitting on the outside route pre-snap.
This play pairs well with RNS Switch Curl and RNS Switch Dig in the same set since all three start with similar switch release action but attack different depths, keeping defenders guessing on run fits and drop zones.
Best called on second or third and medium situations where the curl route at the sticks gives you a reliable conversion option if the flat is jumped.
