Playbooks

Spacing

Spacing Pass Play Cover 3 Beater Cover 4 Beater Flat Hitch Stick

Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players

Player	Side	Route
HB1	Middle	Flat
WR3	Left	Smash
WR2	Left	Hitch
TE1	Right	Stick Option
WR1	Left	Flat

Read progression

WR2 left, Hitch
WR3 left, Smash
WR1 left, Flat
TE1 right, Stick Option
HB1, FlatCheck-down

Breakdown

Spacing out of Singleback Bunch TE sends the bunch receivers into a horizontal stretch with a quick out from the bunch, a corner route breaking outside from the middle bunch receiver, and a flat route underneath, while the backside receiver runs a shallow drag across the field and the running back releases to the opposite flat. This is a classic Cover 3 and Cover 4 beater built on horizontal spacing to attack zone drops and hole up underneath defenders with too many flat threats. Primary progression starts with the quick out or flat combo to the bunch side, then works to the backside drag if the underneath defenders squeeze the flat, with the running back check down as the final outlet.

Defensive Reads

Key the flat defender and the underneath hook defender since spacing is designed to put both in conflict with three stacked horizontal routes. Against Cover 3, the corner route and flat route on the bunch side will consistently open because one defender cannot cover both, so throw off his leverage. Against Cover 4, look for the safety to stay deep and attack the space underneath with the drag or flat route before the linebacker can sink. Watch for user controlled defenders sitting in the shallow zone or lurking near the flat, since a smart human defender can jump the quick out and bait an interception. This play struggles against aggressive man blitzes with no underneath zone help, so check blitz indicators like walked up linebackers or safeties creeping into the box before the snap.

Usage Tips

Use pre snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into showing zone drops before the snap so you can identify Cover 3 versus Cover 4 shells. Look immediately to the flat and out combination on the bunch side since spacing is designed to overload one underneath zone defender with three horizontal options. If the defense shows man coverage press at the line, hot route the corner route into a slant or speed out to shorten the throw and beat the jam. This play pairs well with Cross Drag and Stick from the same set since both attack similar horizontal zones but from different angles, keeping linebackers guessing on rotation. Best used on second and short to second and medium where underneath zone defenders sit and the quick game timing rewards accurate ball placement.