Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Flood out of Shotgun Flex Y Off 11 personnel sends three receivers to the same side of the field at three distinct levels to overload the defense. The outside receiver runs a deep vertical up the sideline, the flanker runs a corner route breaking to the same sideline underneath him, and the Y (TE) releases from the backfield area on a shallow flat route, creating a high low read on one defender. The backside X runs a deep in breaking dig route across the field as a release valve, while the HB stays in to help protect. This is a classic Cover 3 beater that stresses the flat and deep quarter defender with the three level stretch, and the primary read progresses from the deep corner route down to the flat, then works back to the backside dig if the flood side is capped.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the cornerback to the flood side is playing off man or shaded outside to jump the flat, which signals Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone drop responsibilities. Watch the flat defender, usually a linebacker or nickel corner, since he must choose between sitting on the Y route in the flat or bailing to help on the corner route, and user controlling him early can disrupt the timing of this concept. Man coverage with no safety help over the top shuts this play down quickly, since the corner route and vertical route both become contested without a natural picture for the quarterback. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's depth since if he sinks hard to the flood side to help in zone, the backside dig route will be wide open against a vacated middle of the field. A hard blitz off the edge to the flood side can beat this play before the routes develop, so recognizing pressure and getting the ball out quickly to the Y in the flat is essential against nano blitz packages.
Usage Tips
Diagnose the coverage shell before the snap by checking if the corner and safety to the flood side are aligned to defend three levels or if they are shaded to jump the flat.
Attack Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with this play since the flood concept forces one defender to declare between the corner route and the flat route.
If you see a single high safety rotating hard to the flood side, work the backside dig route immediately since the deep half of the field will be undermanned.
Use this play on second and medium or third and short distances where the flat route to the Y can pick up an easy conversion if the defense drops into a soft zone.
Pair this play with Curl Ohio or PA Seam Digs from the same set to keep the defense guessing between flood concepts and vertical seam shots, and mix in HB Draw or Inside Zone to hold linebackers before hitting the flood.
