Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Circle out of Shotgun Flex Y Off is a quick game passing concept built to attack man and zone coverage with a five man route distribution. The outside receivers run vertical Go routes to clear out the deep half, the slot runs a quick out breaking route that mimics an out and up look, and the HB releases out of the backfield on a circle route into the flat while the TE works a curl flat combo underneath, giving the quarterback a high low read on that side. The primary progression starts with the curl flat combo on the strong side, works to the HB circle route in the flat as the checkdown or man beater vs a linebacker, and finally looks to the vertical shots on the outside if coverage bites underneath.
Defensive Reads
Presnap check safety depth and alignment, since two deep safeties can carry the vertical Go routes and force the quarterback into the underneath curl flat and HB circle reads. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, since a linebacker sitting shallow can jump the HB circle route into the flat and undercut the primary checkdown. Identify man coverage by checking if a linebacker walks out to match the HB presnap, which signals the circle route matchup is winnable against slower defenders. Post snap, spy the flat defender on the curl flat side since that player is in conflict between the TE curl and any leak by the HB, and a user controlled defender sitting on that route can bait a turnover. Cover 3 zone shells with a hard corner flat drop can take away the HB circle route, so look for the strong safety rotating down as a key that the flat is occupied and the quarterback should climb to a vertical route instead.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify whether the defense is showing zone or man, since the curl flat combo is your zone beater and the HB circle route into the flat is your go to answer against man coverage with a linebacker matched on the back.
On third and short to medium, prioritize the curl flat side because the flat defender has to choose between the TE curl and the HB circle route, creating a natural conflict read for the quarterback.
Use hot routes to convert the backside Go route into a slant or drag if you are getting pressure looks presnap, since the outside vertical routes take time to develop and are not the first read.
Pair this play with HB Slip Screen and HB Draw in the same set to keep linebackers honest, since defenses that key hard on the HB circle route out of the backfield are susceptible to those delayed run and screen concepts.
Against aggressive blitz packages, get the ball out quickly to the HB circle route since it develops fast and beats blitzing linebackers who vacate the flat.
