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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Mesh Traffic out of Shotgun Go Go Twins Flex is a classic man beater built around a crossing mesh underneath. Two receivers cross low over the middle creating natural traffic to shake man defenders, while a third receiver runs a corner route up the seam behind the mesh to attack any linebacker or safety who tries to pass the mesh off. On the backside, the outside receiver runs a deep drag away from the mesh action, and the running back releases into a shallow flat/checkdown route underneath. The primary read progression starts with the mesh crossers underneath, works up to the corner route breaking behind the traffic, and comes back down to the flat route as the checkdown outlet.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify man coverage by checking if defenders are aligned with inside or outside leverage on the two mesh receivers rather than sitting in soft zone drops. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, since shallow linebackers who chase the mesh crossers will open up the corner route running behind them. Key any user-controlled defender sitting in a lurk spot over the middle, as this is the primary threat that can jump the mesh crossers and bait a turnover. Against zone coverage, look for underneath defenders sinking to cover the mesh crossers early, which signals the corner route and flat route will be open. Recognize blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge, since the mesh concept relies on quick underneath timing and can get exposed if protection breaks down before routes develop.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as cornerbacks lined up tight with no help over the top, since the mesh concept is designed to create natural picks against man defenders.
Use motion or a hot route on the flat back to freeze a linebacker if you see a nano blitz look, since the mesh crossers need clean space to develop.
Against man coverage, trust the mesh to win on its own and take the first crosser who clears traffic instead of hesitating in the pocket.
Against zone shells, look immediately to the corner route sitting behind the mesh since zone defenders will often collapse on the shallow crossers.
Pair this play with HB Base or HB Lead Draw earlier in a series to get linebackers cheating downhill, then come back to Mesh Traffic to exploit vacated underneath zones.
Use Mesh Switch Rail as a change-up if defenses start jumping the mesh crossers, since it disguises the same traffic look with a different route distribution.
