Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Flood is a three-level route concept run to the trips side of Trio Offset out of Shotgun, stacking a corner route, an out, and a flat route to overload one half of the field. The backside single receiver runs a deep comeback into open grass while the offensive line executes standard pass protection. This is a classic Cover 3 beater that isolates the flat defender and hi-lo's the deep third defender, with the primary read progressing from the corner route to the underneath out and finally to the flat as the checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Check the free safety pre snap; if he stays deep middle you are likely facing Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which this flood concept exploits. Identify the flat defender's depth and leverage since a squatting corner or linebacker in the flat can jump the shallow route and cut off the easy checkdown. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the deep third or lurking underneath the corner route, as that lurk can bait a turnover on the deep throw. Man coverage with no help over the top struggles against the corner route stretching the sideline, but tight man coverage on the flat receiver combined with a blitz can force a quick, low value throw. Cover 4 or two high shells with quarters technique on the corner route can take away the deep shot, so be ready to work down to the out and flat quickly.
Usage Tips
Attack Cover 3 shells first since this concept is purpose built to hi-lo the outside third defender with the corner and out combo. Watch the flat defender before the snap; if he sits wide, throw the out route on time since the window closes fast against zone drops. Use the backside comeback as a built in answer versus single high safety rotation that overplays the trips side. Pair this with Verticals or Levels Sail from the same set to keep defenders honest on the flood side before dialing this back up. Best called on 2nd or 3rd and medium when you want a high percentage completion with YAC upside on the flat route against soft zone coverage.
