Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Strong Flood is a three-level flood concept run to the trips side out of Shotgun Trey Open Offset with 11 personnel. The backside receiver runs a quick out breaking away from the formation, while the trips side stacks a deep vertical route, a corner route breaking off the same stem, and an underneath flat route to create a high low low read on one half of the field. This is a classic Cover 3 beater since the flood concept overloads the deep third corner and the flat defender with three route levels, and the primary read progression works flat to corner to deep vertical based on how the underneath defenders react.
Defensive Reads
Look at safety depth pre snap, a single deep safety cheating to the trips side signals Cover 3 and confirms the flood concept will stress the deep third defender. Check cornerback alignment on the trips side, if the corner is playing off with outside leverage the corner route has room to work behind him. Post snap, track the flat defender's drop, if he widens too fast the underneath flat route is open for a quick pitch and catch. Watch for user controlled lurk defenders sitting in the intermediate window, since a smart user can jump the corner route and undercut the middle read. This concept struggles against Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells with two deep defenders, since the extra deep help can bracket the corner and vertical routes on the trips side.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you diagnose Cover 3 or split field zone shells pre snap, since the three level flood puts the deep third defender and the flat defender in an immediate conflict.
Key the flat defender first, if he sinks with the corner route throw underneath immediately for a easy completion, if he stays flat throw the corner route behind him.
Use the backside out route as a hot route dump off against man pressure or when the trips side is jumped by an extra defender.
Pair this play with Y Cross Flood or FL Dig from the same set to keep defenses guessing between flood concepts and dig crossers off similar formation looks.
Best used on second and medium or third and short to medium since the sideline routes give natural clock stoppers and easy chain movers.
