Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Left | Swing |
| WR3 | Right | Wheel |
| WR1 | Left | Post |
| WR2 | Right | Hook |
| TE1 | Right | Curl |
Switch Z Curl is a trips-based passing concept out of Shotgun Wing Trips WK that uses a switch release from the two trips receivers to create natural picks against man coverage while giving the Z receiver a curl route as the primary zone beater underneath. The backside typically works a comeback or dig to hold the single defender, giving the quarterback a horizontal stretch from the curl to the deeper trips routes. This is a man beater first due to the switch release rubbing off defenders, but the curl sit-down also gives you a built-in answer versus zone drops, making it a versatile progression read starting at the Z curl before working to the switch release routes.
Read the flow of the linebackers at the snap, if they widen out to cover the switch release the curl window opens up immediately for an easy completion Watch for a cornerback sinking into a curl or flat zone drop, this signals zone coverage and tells you to work the switch release deep instead of settling for the curl Identify press man on the Z receiver pre-snap, since the switch release is designed to rub him off and create separation against tight man coverage Beware of a user-controlled linebacker sitting in a lurk position in the middle of the field, this defender can jump the curl route if the quarterback stares it down too long Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone shells with underneath defenders reading the quarterback's eyes will shut this down quickly, so be ready to reset to the backside comeback or dig if the initial read is covered
Check the pre-snap alignment of the corner over the Z receiver, if he is playing off man or soft zone the curl sit will be open immediately after the switch release clears traffic
Use motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into showing blitz or spy intentions before the snap so you know whether to speed up your first read
Hot route the backside single receiver into a quick out or slant if you see a single high safety rotating hard to the trips side, this keeps the defense honest and prevents overloading one side
Pair this play with Stick or Slot Cross earlier in a drive to condition defenders into jumping underneath routes, then hit the curl or switch release for explosive gains when they overcommit
Best used on second and medium or third and short to medium since the curl sit and switch release both settle in soft zones typically found in those down and distance calls