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Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Curl Flats out of Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex 11 personnel gives you a true triangle read concept on the right side and a crossing high low on the left. The backside receiver runs a deep crosser through the middle of the field while the inline receiver next to him breaks off a quick out underneath, creating a natural rub. On the strength side, the number one receiver runs a curl that sits down in the intermediate zone while the flat route underneath him occupies the corner or flat defender, forming a classic curl flat combo that stresses cover 2 and cover 3 sidelines. This is primarily a zone beater because it attacks the flat defender and hook defender with a high low, though it also works against man coverage thanks to the pick action from the crossing route on the backside. The primary read progression starts with the curl flat side: read the flat defender first, if he sinks to the flat throw the curl, if he stays with the curl throw the flat, then work backside to the crosser as a checkdown against man coverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap check safety depth, if both safeties are deep and the corners are playing soft zone technique that is a strong indicator of cover 2, which is exactly what the curl flat combo is designed to attack. Watch the flat defender post-snap, if he sinks into the flat too fast the curl route will sit down in the window behind him for an easy pitch and catch. Key the underneath linebackers on the backside crosser, if they carry the route deep into a match zone or trail it man to man, the play loses its pick advantage and the quarterback should reset to the curl flat side. User controlled defenders sitting in the flat or lurking underneath the curl route can jump this concept, so avoid forcing the throw if you see a defender break early toward the curl route depth. This play struggles against cover 3 sky or cover 4 quarters looks with aggressive corner reroutes, since the flat defender can pattern match the flat route and the curl runs into a deep zone defender waiting underneath.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap identify whether the defense is showing a two high or one high shell, this play is designed to punish cover 2 and cover 3 zone drops on the curl flat side.
If the corner is playing off coverage and shows soft zone leverage, expect the flat defender to widen and take away the flat, which opens the curl for an easy completion around 8 to 12 yards.
Against man coverage, hot route the backside crosser to continue full speed across the field, the natural pick from the underneath out route can spring him wide open versus man match schemes.
Use this on second and medium to long or third and short to medium, the curl flat combo gives you a quick answer against zone blitzes since the ball comes out fast to the flat.
Pair this play with Four Verticals or Deep Curl from the same set, once defenders start jumping the curl flat combo on tape you can hit them over the top with a vertical shot using the same formation and pre-snap look.
