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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Reload PA Flood is a play-action flood concept out of Shotgun Trio HB Wk that uses pre-snap motion to reload the backfield before the fake. Post-snap, the outside receiver runs a deep corner route, the slot receiver breaks underneath on a crossing dig, and the TE releases into the flat while the HB checks release and works the shallow flat as an outlet. The QB reads high to low: corner route first, then the dig sitting down in the middle, then the flat as the checkdown, making this an effective Cover 3 beater that stresses the deep and intermediate zones on one side of the field.
Defensive Reads
Check the free safety depth pre-snap, if he is shaded to the play side the corner route will be tightly defended and you should progress quickly to the dig. Watch for a defender trailing the motion man, this reveals man coverage and opens up the corner route against a trailing cornerback. Identify Cover 3 shells by looking for a single high safety and three deep defenders splitting the field, this is the ideal shell for the corner to dig flood concept. User linebackers who sink hard into the underneath zone can jump the dig route, so be ready to reset to the flat or the deep corner if you see a lurking defender sitting on the crosser. Beware of Cover 1 or Cover 0 blitz packages that bring extra rushers, since the play-action fake takes time to develop and can get the QB hit before the corner route breaks open.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is playing man or zone based on whether a defender follows the motion man across the formation.
This play is best called on early downs or second and medium when defenses are more likely to sit in Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or slant if you diagnose zone drops flooding the play side too aggressively.
Pair this with Flood HB Flat or Flood Pylon Shot in the same set to keep defenses guessing between HB flat and full field flood concepts.
Look off the safety with your eyes before working through the progression, since the corner route needs the deep defender to bite on the play-action fake.
