Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
689 Hook out of Shotgun Split Y-Flex is a play-action flood concept built to attack Cover 3 zone shells. The single receiver to the boundary runs a go route to clear out the deep defender, while the slot defender releases to the flat and the two receivers to the field side stack a deep out and a corner-breaking post/hook route off play-action, creating a high-low flood on the sideline. The line and backfield sell run action before pass protection sets, and the primary read progression starts with the flat route to hold the underneath defender, moves to the deep out as the zone beater against the curl-flat defender, and finishes with the go route as the shot play against man coverage or busted zone leverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safeties: a lone deep safety signals Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which this flood concept is designed to stress on the boundary. Watch the flat defender at the snap; if he sinks with the out route instead of squatting on the flat, that confirms zone drop discipline and the quarterback should hit the flat immediately. Key the cornerback over the go route: if he bails at the snap it is likely zone, but if he presses and mirrors, it is man coverage and the deep out or flat becomes the higher percentage throw. Look for a user-controlled linebacker or safety lurking in the flood zone, since a rover sitting in the passing lane can jump the out route and create a turnover if the quarterback stares it down. This concept is vulnerable to disguised two-deep zone blitzes that bring five rushers while dropping a corner into the flat, so check protection or hot route the flat receiver into a quick option against heavy pressure looks.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs after establishing run action from this same formation so the play-action freeze actually influences linebackers.
Check the flat defender pre-snap: if a linebacker is sitting shallow, expect the flat route to be taken away and prioritize the deep out instead.
Against Cover 3, work the flood side high-low from flat to out to go, since the corner cannot cover all three levels of the sideline stem.
Motion the flanker or check to a hot route on the go route if you see press man, turning it into a simple vertical shot beater.
Pair this play with Y Shallow Cross or Mesh from the same set to keep defenses honest on quick game before hitting them with the deeper flood shot.
