Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Curl Ohio out of Shotgun Flex Y Off lines up with two receivers stacked to the offense's left, a tight end attached, and a slot receiver to the right with the number 1 receiver aligned wide right. At the snap, the outside receiver left runs a deep cross while the inside receiver clears the middle underneath with a corner-breaking route to the sideline, the tight end releases into a delayed flat route working from the backfield area out toward the numbers, and the number 1 receiver runs a vertical seam that bends outside like a corner or go route. This is a man beater built on natural picks and crossing traffic, with the primary read starting on the deep cross working through the flat route from the tight end before progressing to the number 1 route on the outside.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage without a strong underneath robber is the biggest vulnerability here, since the crossing route and flat route naturally create leverage issues for man defenders trying to fight through traffic. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender can take away the tight end's route, so if the flat defender sits low, look to the deep cross or vertical route from the number 1 receiver instead. Watch for a user-controlled linebacker or safety sitting in a lurk position over the middle, since that defender can jump the crossing route if the quarterback holds the ball too long. Pre-snap, identify whether the corner over the number 1 receiver is playing off or press, because off coverage gives the vertical breaking route more room to work against zone drops. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can rush the quarterback before the delayed tight end route develops, so quick game answers from other plays in the set become necessary against aggressive fronts.
Usage Tips
Use this on second or third and medium when defenses expect an intermediate route concept and are sitting in man coverage.
Check the pre-snap alignment of the slot corner and linebacker over the tight end, since the delayed flat route from the tight end is designed to exploit late reactions from man defenders.
If you see a deep half or two high safety shell, prioritize the tight end flat route and the crossing route underneath rather than forcing the ball to the number 1 route against a deep defender.
Pair this play with Four Verticals or X Dagger from the same set to keep defenses honest on vertical shots, then come back to Curl Ohio to attack shorter zones once linebackers start sinking deep.
Hot route the number 1 receiver into a quick out or slant if you diagnose press man pre-snap, since the natural crossing traffic can help him separate immediately off the line.
