Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Spot N Go is a Cover 3 beater out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex 11 personnel that combines a classic Spot concept on the left with a go route tagged on the right side. The left side runs a three level stretch with a corner route, a hitch underneath, and a swing/flat route out of the backfield, while the right side has a receiver running a deep go and the TE running a deep in that sits behind it, attacking the seam between the deep third and the hook zone. The blocking is pass protection with the RB releasing into the flat, and the primary read progression starts with the deep in from the TE, then works to the corner route on the Spot side before checking down to the flat.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker or nickel defender responsible for the hook zone, since Cover 3 defenses often leave a soft spot for the deep in route if that defender widens too far outside. Watch the deep safety's leverage at the snap, if he is shaded toward the Spot side concept the deep in route on the opposite side becomes wide open. Diagnose man versus zone by watching the corner over the go route, if he turns and runs with no help underneath it signals man coverage and the deep in route should win quickly. Look for a lurking safety sitting in the middle of the field on obvious passing downs, this is the primary threat that can jump the TE's crossing route and turn it into a turnover. Against Cover 1 or Cover 3 with an aggressive blitz package, the flat route release from the backfield is your safety valve if the deep in route is not open by the second read.
Usage Tips
Pre snap, identify if the safety is showing two high or rotating to single high because this play thrives against Cover 3 and Cover 1 where the deep in route sits in the void behind underneath linebackers and in front of the deep safety.
If you see man coverage with no safety help over the TE, take the deep in route immediately since it creates natural separation off the break.
Use the flat route as your answer against Cover 2 or if the defense drops a linebacker to spy the middle, since the corner and hitch combo on the Spot side will still occupy underneath defenders.
Hot route the backside go route into a drag or shallow cross if you are facing heavy blitz looks and need a quick outlet against man coverage.
Pair this play with Y Stick or Double Slants earlier in a series so the defense respects the quick game, then hit them with the deep in route off the TE for an explosive play once linebackers start jumping short routes.
