Playbooks
Flood Delay is a man beating flood concept out of Shotgun Trio 4wr Str that stacks three levels of routes to one side of the field while a delayed release back or slot receiver settles into the void underneath. The flood action stresses one cornerback and one flat defender by forcing them to choose between the deep, intermediate, and shallow routes stacked in the same vertical lane. Primary read progression starts with the deepest route to see if the corner bites on anything short, then works down to the intermediate flood route, and finally checks down to the delayed receiver sitting in the flat once the underneath defenders flow away.
Watch the cornerback alignment on the flood side pre-snap. If he is playing tight man with no safety help over the top, the deep route in the flood concept has a chance to win outside. Identify the flat or curl to flat defender's depth before the snap. A defender sitting shallow signals zone coverage and tells you the delay route needs to work to open grass rather than a clean release. Post-snap, track linebacker flow. If the linebacker responsible for the delay area bites hard on run action or flows with the flood routes, the delayed receiver becomes the easy answer. Beware disguised Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties, since the top of the flood route can get squeezed and the corner can sink under the intermediate route. Look for user controlled defenders lurking in the shallow zone. If the user jumps the delay route, immediately reset eyes to the intermediate flood route since that defender has vacated his zone responsibility.
Use this play against Cover 3 and Cover 1 shells since the flood concept overloads the boundary defender and the delay route exploits linebackers who bite on the initial route flow.
Check the flat defender pre-snap. If he is sitting deep or the corner is playing off, hot route the delay man to sit down quicker for an easy conversion throw.
This is a great third and medium to third and long call because the delay route naturally develops as the deep and intermediate routes clear out the coverage.
Pair Flood Delay with China N Go or Four Verticals in your play calling sequence so defenders start respecting vertical shots, which opens the flood side even more on this call.
Against zone heavy defenses, key the flat zone defender's drop. If he sinks with the intermediate route, the delay man will be wide open underneath for a quick and easy pitch and catch.