Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Left | Swing |
| TE1 | Right | Swing |
| WR1 | Left | Curl |
| WR2 | Right | Curl |
| WR3 | Right | Smash |
Flat Combo out of Shotgun Split Cowboy is a quick-hitting man beater built around flat and combo routes that stress the underneath defenders on one side of the field. The concept pairs a flat route from the backfield or slot with a corner or out breaking route stacked behind it, forcing a defender to declare on the shorter route before the ball is already out. The primary read progression starts with the flat route to see if the defense hands off the running back or slot receiver in man coverage, then climbs to the intermediate breaking route if the flat is taken away, with the backside slant or drag as a checkdown against blitz looks.
Pre-snap, identify if the slot corner or nickel is aligned in press man or off man, since press man alignment means the flat route wins instantly on the release. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, shallow linebackers sitting at five yards or less signal a Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone drop that can undercut the flat route. Post-snap, track any user-controlled defender flashing down into the flat or shooting the shallow route as a lurk threat, since that defender can jump the primary read and bait a pick six. This play struggles against Cover 2 with a hard flat defender sinking underneath, since the combo route gets squeezed between the corner and safety help over the top. Man blitz or Cover 0 with no safety help over the top is where this concept thrives, since the flat route occupies the blitzing defender's run through lane and creates an easy pitch and catch before pressure arrives.
Use this play on early downs or third and short since the flat route ejects the ball quickly against pressure looks.
Check the pre-snap alignment of the slot corner and outside linebacker, if they are playing tight man technique the flat route will come open almost immediately off the snap.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick slant if you see Cover 0 or man blitz indicators like a walked up safety and stacked box.
Pair this play with HB Slip Screen and Mesh in your play-calling sequence to keep defenders honest on quick game reads while still attacking underneath.
Against zone shells, look to the combo route sitting down in the soft spot between the flat defender and the curl defender rather than forcing the flat throw into a zone drop.