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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
Deep Slot Curl aligns out of Shotgun Y Off Trips Close with a three-receiver trips look to one side and a single receiver isolated backside. The backside X and the outside trips receiver both run deep comebacks breaking back to the sideline, the inside slot receiver runs a deep vertical clear-out, and the tight end (blue route) works a quick in-breaking route underneath from the backfield area as a checkdown or hot read against pressure. The primary read progression starts with the tight end's quick underneath route to see if the middle of the field is open, then works to the trips-side comeback route as the deep breaking window, with the backside X comeback as the final alternative if the defense rolls coverage away from trips. This is a zone beater designed to attack the soft spots created by cover 3 or cover 4 flat defenders who bail before the comeback routes break.
Defensive Reads
Read the cornerback depth pre-snap, off coverage at seven or more yards signals soft zone or bail technique that this play is designed to attack with the comeback breaks. Watch the flat defenders after the snap, if they sink too deep or widen with the vertical clear-out route, the comeback windows open up on both the trips side and the backside X. Identify single-high safety shells like cover 3, since the corners are often responsible for deep thirds and will need to plant hard on the comeback route, creating separation if their pedal is too deep. Key the tight end's release against man coverage, a linebacker or slot corner sitting in a hard man look on the tight end signals blitz or man beater vulnerability, so be ready to check to the comeback routes immediately. Watch for a user-controlled defender lurking underneath the trips concept, since a spy or robber defender can jump the tight end's in-breaking route and bait a turnover on the quick read.
Usage Tips
Check the safety shell before the snap, this play is built to exploit single-high or two-high zone shells that leave flat defenders sitting short of the comeback breakpoints.
Use the tight end's underneath route as your hot route answer versus blitz, it releases quickly and gives you a built-in sight adjustment when the defense brings extra rushers off the edge.
Target the comeback routes on third and medium to third and long since the sit-down breakpoint matches those distances and forces defensive backs to drive downhill and tackle in space.
Pair this play with Slot Out or X Curl from the same set to keep the defense honest, since both plays start with similar route stems but attack different levels, making it harder for zone defenders to jump the comeback route.
Avoid throwing into off-man coverage where the cornerback can plant and drive on the comeback break, since man defenders with outside leverage can undercut the route before the receiver turns around.
