Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Curl Combo out of Shotgun Split Slot Open sends the backside outside receiver on a deep vertical up the numbers while the backside slot runs an out breaking toward the sideline underneath it, creating a natural high low stretch on that edge. On the play side, the number 1 receiver runs a curl at the sticks while the inside receiver works an out or flat route to occupy underneath defenders, giving the quarterback a curl flat combo to attack zone drops. This is a zone beater built on curl flat and go out stretches on both sides of the formation, with the running back available as a check down safety valve underneath. The primary read starts at the play side curl route (number 1) working to the underneath flat defender, then progresses to the backside high low if the play side is covered.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment since single high shells leave the deep vertical on the backside more exposed to a big play if the safety cheats toward the play side curl. Watch the cornerback over number 1, if he is playing off man or sitting in a soft zone shell the curl route will have a natural throwing window at the sticks. Post-snap, key the underneath linebacker or nickel defender responsible for the curl to flat area, if he sinks with the curl the flat route opens for an easy check down, if he jumps the flat the curl sits behind him. Watch for a user controlled defender lurking in the shallow middle zone since aggressive users will bait the curl throw and jump the route for a pick, so hold the ball an extra beat if you see a defender sitting unnaturally deep in the throwing lane. Man blitz packages with the underneath defender showing before the snap and a corner in man leverage can shut this concept down quickly, so be ready to check into a hot route or dump to the backside flat if pressure shows immediately off the edge.
Usage Tips
Diagnose the coverage shell before the snap by checking safety depth, two deep safeties usually means the curl at number 1 will settle in a soft window against zone.
Attack Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells by working the curl to flat progression first since underneath zone defenders have to choose between the curl sitting at the sticks and the flat route below it.
Against man coverage, hot route the number 1 curl into a corner route or speed out to create separation since a stationary curl versus man leverage is a low value throw.
Use this play on second and medium to third and short situations where the sticks depth of the curl route matches the down and distance conversion number.
Pair Curl Combo with Deep Curls or 689 Hook from this same set to keep linebackers and safeties guessing between shallow curl flat concepts and deeper curl combinations, then mix in HB Slip Screen or RPO Peek Slant to punish aggressive underneath defenders jumping the curl routes.
