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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Mesh out of Shotgun Tight Flex 11 personnel sends both the TE and the inline slot receiver on shallow crossing routes underneath, creating the classic mesh point that rubs off man defenders while the backside X runs a deep vertical to hold the safety. The outside receiver to the mesh side clears vertically up the seam, and the HB releases out of the backfield on a wheel route up the sideline, giving you a five man route concept with no max protect (only a cut block release from the line). This is a man beater at its core, designed to create natural picks at the mesh crossers, but the wheel and deep vertical also punish zone defenses that fail to pass off crossers or account for the HB leaking out. Primary read progression starts with the shallow mesh crossers underneath, then works to the HB wheel if a linebacker or safety widens to help, with the deep vertical as the low percentage home run shot against busted coverage.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest vulnerability, since the crossers will consistently rub defenders off at the mesh point and create separation. Watch for a linebacker or slot corner blitzing off the edge before the mesh develops, since there is no max protect and the quarterback can get pressured quickly. Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with disciplined linebacker drops can shut this down if the underneath defenders sink and wall off the crossers instead of chasing them. Key the safety over the top of the deep vertical route, since if he stays deep and does not bite on the mesh action, the quarterback may be forced to check down to the HB wheel. If you are on defense, user a linebacker or safety to sit right at the mesh crossing point and jump the shallow routes, taking away the primary read and forcing a longer developing throw.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check for man coverage indicators like tight press alignment or a single high safety rotating late, since the mesh crossers thrive when defenders have to trail through traffic.
Hot route the HB to release immediately on the wheel if you see a blitz look, since he is your check valve and safety net against extra rushers.
Use this on second and medium to third and short distances where the shallow crossers can pick up the sticks quickly after the catch.
If the defense shows zone with linebackers sitting at the mesh depth, work the wheel route or the deep vertical instead of forcing the crossers into a jam.
Pair this with Mesh Spot or Mtn Mesh Spot from the same set to keep defenders guessing between the shallow crossers and the spot concept, since both plays share a similar presnap look but attack different levels.
