Playbooks
Breakdown
RNS Curl Flat lines up out of Shotgun Spread with 10 personnel, four receivers spread across the formation. The outside receiver to the left runs a vertical stem into a curl at the top of the route stem, while the inside slot receiver on that side runs a corner-style route breaking outside and upfield. On the right side, the outside receiver runs a flat route to the sideline and the inside slot receiver runs a shallow drag or option route working underneath toward the middle. The primary read progression starts with the curl route, works to the flat underneath if the curl is capped, then bounces to the drag or option route as a checkdown, making this a zone beater designed to stress Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells by attacking the seams and flat zones simultaneously.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, since shallow-dropping linebackers can jump the curl route and undercut the primary read. Key the flat defender's positioning pre-snap, if a cornerback or slot corner is sitting low in the flat zone, the quarterback may need to go directly to the curl or the underneath drag. Identify user-controlled defenders lurking in the middle of the field, since a smart user play on the curl or drag route can bait a turnover if the quarterback stares down his first read too long. Cover 2 shells with soft corners are vulnerable to the curl sitting down in the seam, but a hard-charging safety rotating over the top can close that window fast. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can disrupt the timing of this play, so recognize pre-snap blitz indicators like walked-up linebackers or safeties creeping into the box.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second and medium to long down and distance when defenses are more likely to sit in zone shells like Cover 2 or Cover 3.
Pre-snap, identify if the safeties are showing two high or rolling to single high, since this route combo is built to exploit the curl and flat window in two deep looks.
If the defense shows Cover 3 with a hard flat defender, hot route the flat receiver into a quick out or speed out to beat the corner before he can sink into his zone.
Pair this play with Four Verticals or PA Comebacks in your play-calling sequence to keep zone defenders honest on the deep half, then come back to Curl Flat once they start sitting on shorter routes.
Against aggressive man coverage, consider motioning or using a quick pre-snap shift to see if the defense adjusts, since this concept is primarily a zone beater and can struggle versus tight man coverage without a hot route adjustment.
