Playbooks

X Spot

Shotgun·Spread Y-Flex Wk·11

Corner Flat Slant Pass Play

Likely unavailable in the playbook builder

This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSpread Y-Flex Wk

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense

Breakdown

X Spot is a classic spot concept out of Shotgun 11 personnel that combines a quick out, a flat route, and a spot (curl-in) route on one side to create a triangle stretch on underneath zone defenders. The backside typically runs a dig or comeback to hold safeties, while the running back offers checkdown protection or releases to the flat as a fourth option. This is primarily a zone beater designed to attack Cover 2 and Cover 3 by flooding one side of the field with three levels, though it holds up against man coverage if the spot runner can create separation on the break. The primary read progression starts with the flat route to see if the underneath defender widens, then works to the spot route sitting in the hole, and finally to the corner or dig route on the backside if the safety bites on the shorter routes.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment to identify two high versus one high shells, since X Spot thrives against two high zone shells like Cover 2 and Cover 4 where the flat defender is stretched thin. Watch the slot or flat defender at the snap, if he widens with the flat route the spot route will sit wide open in the void behind him. Key the underneath linebackers for lurk threats, a user controlled linebacker sitting in the spot window can jump the route and bait a turnover so be ready to move to the backside dig or comeback. Cover 3 with a sky safety rolling down can clog the flat and spot combo, so recognize the rotation post snap and reset to the backside route or checkdown. Man coverage with a blitz behind it is the toughest look for this concept, if you see man alignment with extra rushers get the ball out quickly on the shortest route or throw it away to protect the possession.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a quick peek at the flat defender to determine if you are facing man or zone before the snap. Against Cover 3, target the spot route sitting in the curl-flat hole since the flat defender cannot cover both underneath levels. Hot route the running back to a flat release on the opposite side if the defense shows blitz, giving yourself a built in checkdown against pressure. This play works best on second and medium or third and short since the spot route usually settles in around 5 to 6 yards for an easy conversion. Pair X Spot with Slot Fades or Smash Corners in your play calling sequence so defenses cannot sit on the underneath spot concept once you have shown it a few times. Sequence it after RPO Peek Slant or RPO Alert Screen to keep linebackers honest and open up the spot window even more.