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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Curl Drag out of Singleback Doubles North sends the backside outside receiver on a deep vertical clearout, the backside slot on a curl that settles in front of the linebackers, and the frontside slot on a drag route working underneath from the opposite side of the formation. The frontside outside receiver runs a quick hitch to the flat while the running back releases on a swing route out of the backfield away from the drag, giving the quarterback a five-man route distribution that stretches the field horizontally and vertically. This is a zone beater at its core, using the curl and drag combo to sit in the soft spots of a Cover 3 or Cover 2 zone while the clearout route occupies the deep defender. Primary read progression starts with the drag working across the middle, then works to the curl sitting down against zone, with the flat hitch and swing as check down outlets versus man pressure.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check for two deep safeties versus one high, a single high safety often signals Cover 3 which is where the drag and curl combo thrives. Watch the cornerback over the clearout receiver, if he bails immediately into a deep zone drop you are likely facing zone coverage and should trust the drag read. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sinks hard to cover the curl the drag underneath should be wide open in the vacated space. User controlled defenders sitting in a lurk position over the drag route will jump the throw, so have a plan to check to the curl or flat hitch if you see a defender sitting flat footed in that lane. This play struggles against man coverage with a spy or against aggressive Cover 0 blitzes since the drag and curl take time to develop, so audible into a quick game concept if you see man alignment with no safety help over the top.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second and medium to third and short situations where the defense is likely to sit in zone coverage rather than bring pressure.
Pre-snap, identify the middle linebacker depth and safety alignment, if the MLB is sitting shallow the drag will have a tight window so be ready to progress to the curl.
Against Cover 3, throw the drag on time before the flow of the linebackers closes the window, against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells lean on the curl sitting in the hole between levels.
Hot route the swing back into a check release if you anticipate a blitz, this gives you a built in protection adjustment without sacrificing the drag and curl combo.
Pair this play with Drag In or Stick from the same set to keep the defense guessing on where the underneath crossing routes originate, then hit them with PA Cross or PA Rollout once they start jumping the shallow routes.
