Playbooks
Breakdown
Curls X Go lines up from Shotgun Trips TE with three receivers to one side and a single receiver (X) isolated to the closed side. The X on the backside runs a vertical Go route stretching the deep boundary, while the trips side runs a stack of curl routes at varying depths, giving the quarterback layered stopping points underneath and a shot play outside. This is primarily a zone beater, using the staggered curl depths to settle into soft spots against zone drops, though the isolated Go route also punishes single high man coverage on the backside. Primary read progression starts with the outside curl for a quick access throw, works down to the intermediate curl, and checks the backside Go route if the corner bites on the underneath routes or if you see a one-on-one matchup with no deep safety help.
Defensive Reads
Watch the cornerback aligned over the X receiver presnap, if he is playing tight man with no safety rotating over top, expect the Go route to win deep. Identify zone drops post snap by watching the underneath linebackers, if they sink hard on the curls this confirms zone and you should climb the ladder from the shortest curl to the deepest. Beware of a user controlled lurk defender sitting in the trips side curl windows, this can bait a throw into a jump ball interception. Cover 3 with a deep third defender rolling to the trips side is the biggest threat to this play since it takes away both the curls and the Go route simultaneously. Man coverage with press corners and no safety help over the top is the ideal shell to beat, since the trips curls create natural picks and the backside Go has a clean release.
Usage Tips
Check the presnap safety alignment first, if you see a single high safety shaded to the trips side, target the backside X Go route immediately for a big play. Against two high shells, work the curls from outside in and let the underneath defenders declare before committing to a throw. Use this on second and medium to third and short distances where the curl depths naturally sit at the sticks. Hot route the shallow curl to a flat route if you anticipate a hard flat zone drop, this opens a easy checkdown versus cloud coverage. Pair this play with Curl Flat or All Curl earlier in a drive to condition the defense to sit on curls, then hit the X Go for a home run shot once you see the same coverage shell.
