Playbooks
Bounce Spot Curl out of the Shotgun Wing Slot Offset WK set is a spot concept built to attack zone coverage while giving you a curl outlet against man. The concept combines a spot route from the slot with a curl breaking outside and an underneath flat or drag option to bounce work off, giving the quarterback a horizontal stretch to move zone defenders and open passing lanes. This is a zone beater first and foremost, though the curl route holds up fine against off man corners. Primary read progression starts with the spot route sitting in the shallow hole, then works to the curl on the boundary, and finishes with the underneath check down if both are covered.
Pre-snap, check the safety alignment for two high versus single high shells since this tells you whether the curl or the spot route will be the primary throwing lane. Watch the cornerback depth outside the numbers, a soft corner playing off leverage signals zone drop responsibility and opens the curl route for a quick completion. Post-snap, key the underneath linebackers for a sink into the spot route area, if they widen or blitz the middle of the field opens up for the spot route to settle uncontested. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the shallow zone can jump the spot route, so have a plan to reset to the curl or check down if you see a defender crashing the intermediate window. Man blitz packages with a corner blitz off the edge will collapse the pocket quickly, so identify pressure pre-snap and be ready to get the ball out fast to the underneath check down.
Use pre-snap motion or a strafe to confirm if the defense is showing a two high shell or single high look before the snap so you know whether to prioritize the curl or the spot route in your first read.
Against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, target the spot route immediately since it settles in the soft area behind the linebackers and in front of the deep defenders.
If you see man coverage with the corner playing tight outside leverage, hot route the curl into a corner or out route to create separation instead of forcing the ball into a sinking zone defender.
Pair this play with Fk Slant Out or Slant Stick earlier in a series so the defense respects quick underneath throws, then come back with Bounce Spot Curl to hit the same area with more spacing and time.
This play works best on second or third and medium since the spot and curl both settle at intermediate depth, giving the quarterback layered options if the first read is covered.