Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 12 playbooks
Breakdown
Curl Flat out of Shotgun Trio Y-Flex is a quick-hitting zone beater built off a three-man route concept to one side. The outside receiver runs a deep vertical up the numbers, the slot receiver breaks down into a curl at intermediate depth, and the flat defender back releases into a wide flat route, while the inside receiver on the other side works a deep crossing route to hold backside coverage. The primary read progression starts with the curl route to hold linebackers and safeties, then works down to the flat for a quick, high-percentage completion, using the vertical route as a clear-out threat to open the curl-flat window.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, key the cornerback depth and safety alignment to diagnose Cover 2 versus Cover 3, since this play is specifically designed to attack both shells with the curl-flat stretch. Watch the flat defender at the snap, if he sinks too deep or gets picked by traffic underneath, the flat route becomes an easy pitch and catch. Key the underneath linebacker or nickel defender responsible for the curl zone, since a slow reaction to the curl route creates a big throwing window for the quarterback. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest liability against this concept, since the deep vertical route can win one-on-one against a corner in man. User-controlled defenders sitting in the shallow flat trying to rob the underneath route can bait the quarterback if they linger on the receiver before recovering.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or third and short when you need a high-percentage completion against zone coverage. Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing Cover 2 or Cover 3 shells, since the curl-flat combo attacks the flat defender and curl zone defender simultaneously in a classic hi-lo stretch. If the cornerback is playing deep off coverage, hot route the flat defender into a quick out to speed up the timing against soft zones. Pair this call with Mtn Stick or Mtn Mills in your play-calling sequence since both attack similar zone landmarks but from different formations, keeping the defense guessing. Against Cover 3, look to the deep vertical route if the cornerback bites on the curl, since it can turn into an explosive play against a single deep-third defender.
