Playbooks
Curls out of Shotgun Wide Slot Right WK is a zone beater built around three curl routes stacked at different depths with a shallow crosser or flat option underneath to hold linebackers. The offensive line runs standard pass protection with the back releasing late to check the middle before sliding to the flat, giving the quarterback a built in checkdown. The primary read progression starts with the deepest curl to the boundary, works to the intermediate curl in the middle of the field, and finishes with the underneath flat or shallow route if the zone sits low and clogs the sticks.
Check safety depth pre snap since two high shells invite the intermediate curl while single high alignments signal potential Cover 3 with a hard hitting underneath robber Watch linebacker depth at the snap because curls sitting down in the same zone as a shallow drop linebacker will get jumped by a user controlled lurk defender Cover 2 with aggressive corners jumping the curl route stem is the primary defense that shuts this play down since the flat defender and deep half safety squeeze the throwing window Man coverage with underneath help struggles against this concept because the curl breaks create separation at the top of the stem before the defender can recover Identify blitz packages by counting box defenders pre snap since a five or six man rush forces a quick decision to the shortest curl or flat route rather than working through the full progression
Look for off man or zone shells pre snap since the stacked curls create natural separation windows against corners playing soft technique
Use this on third and medium to third and long when you need a defender to commit to the sticks so you can work the curl breaking behind him
Hot route the underneath back to a flat route or drag if you diagnose Cover 3 sink so you have a hi lo read on the flat defender
Pair this call with Mtn Post Curls or Mtn Z In in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect vertical shots off the same formation look
Snap the ball with rhythm and throw to the first curl that sits down in a soft spot rather than waiting for routes to fully develop against man coverage