Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Z Spot from Singleback Doubles Flex is a classic Spot concept and a premier Cover 3 beater. The outside receiver to the closed side runs a corner route stretching the deep third, the slot runs a quick hitch/settle at the sticks, and the flexed TE runs a flat route underneath, creating a high low stretch on the flat defender. On the backside, the outside receiver runs a deep dig while the RB releases on a check release flat route, giving the quarterback a two man mini progression away from the trips look. The primary read is spot then corner: peek the flat to corner stretch first, and if the zone defender widens with the corner route, sit down and hit the spot route underneath for an easy conversion.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, identify single high safety and off man corners, which signals Cover 3 and tells you the corner and spot combo will have room to work. Key the flat defender post snap: if he widens to the corner route, the window for the spot sit route opens immediately underneath him. Watch for a robber or spy sitting in the shallow middle zone, since that defender can jump the spot route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Against man coverage, look for a linebacker or safety trying to rob the RB flat route, since that indicates the defense is baiting the checkdown while playing tight man on the outside. If the defense shows Cover 4 or two high shells, the deep dig on the backside becomes the higher value read since the safety rotation opens up the middle void behind the linebackers.
Usage Tips
Identify Cover 3 pre-snap by reading single high safety alignment and corners playing off with outside leverage, since this concept is built to punish exactly that shell.
If you see man coverage instead, hot route the spot receiver into a quick out or speed out to create separation, since the sit route can get jumped by a robber or underneath defender in man.
Use this on early downs in first and second and medium situations where a conversion underneath keeps the offense ahead of schedule without needing to test the deep corner throw.
Pair this with Four Verticals from the same set to punish safeties who key the flat to corner stretch and start jumping the spot route too aggressively.
Motion the RB or check the protection against five and six man pressure looks, since the RB flat route doubles as a checkdown valve against the blitz.
