Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Curl Ohio out of Shotgun Flex Y Off Close is a five man route concept built around a deep crossing pattern on the backside and a curl and flat combo on the play side. The X receiver runs a deep dig that crosses the field underneath a vertical clear out from the outside receiver, while the TE runs a corner route from the closed formation and the RB releases into a curl route out of the backfield after showing a check release. This is primarily a zone beater that attacks intermediate voids with the crossing route while giving the QB a two way go: read the RB curl and TE corner combo first against man coverage, or work the deep crosser against zone coverage if the underneath window opens.
Defensive Reads
Watch for two deep safeties pre-snap, this indicates zone coverage that the deep crosser and curl combo are designed to exploit. If the defense shows a single high safety with press corners, expect man coverage and prioritize the RB curl route since it benefits from natural rub action off the formation. Post-snap, track the flow of the middle linebacker, if he sinks into the crosser's lane immediately this signals a Cover 3 buzz call that closes the intermediate window. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the shallow crossing lane are the biggest threat to this concept, so be ready to check down to the RB flat route if that defender squats. A hard blitz look with only two deep defenders means the deep crosser is your outlet, since it clears the shallow zone vacated by blitzing linebackers.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, this play thrives against two high shells where the crossing route can settle into the soft spot vacated by zone defenders shifting to the trips or twins side.
Use the RB curl as your first read on early downs when you expect man coverage, since the natural pick action from the TE release can spring him open against man match schemes.
Hot route the backside X receiver into a shorter option if you are facing heavy Cover 3 pressure, since the deep crosser can take too long to develop against fast flowing linebackers.
Pair Curl Ohio with Inside Zone or RPO Zone Alert from the same set to keep defenses honest, since the run action and RPO help disguise the pass concept and slow down linebacker drops.
Best used on second or third and medium situations where the sticks line up with the curl route depth, giving the QB a high percentage completion if the deep crosser is not immediately open.
