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Breakdown
Fork is a five man route flood concept out of Singleback Doubles 11 personnel with the offensive line in a pass protection set for a five step drop. To the left, the outside receiver runs a go route stacked with a slot receiver running an out that breaks toward the sideline, creating a high low man beater against the corner. To the right, the flanker runs a deep corner route while a receiver underneath crosses into a shallow flat route, forking the coverage vertically and horizontally. The running back releases out of the backfield on a swing route to the left, giving the quarterback a checkdown against blitzes. The primary read starts with the corner route to the right against Cover 3 or Cover 1, then works to the flat and swing routes underneath if the corner is capped.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety alignment, if you see one deep safety rotating to the corner route side, that tells you Cover 3 or Cover 1 and the corner route will be the primary answer. Watch cornerback depth at the snap, if the corner sitting on the out route bails immediately into a deep drop it signals zone coverage and the underneath flat becomes the easier throw. Key the flat defender's drop, a linebacker sinking too deep opens the shallow crossing route for an easy pitch and catch. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field can jump the shallow cross, so if you see a defender spying that area, work the swing route to the boundary instead. Man beater elements shine versus Cover 1 or Cover 0 blitzes since the stacked go and out combo creates natural rub picks, but versus disciplined Cover 4 shells the corner route gets taken away and you must check down quickly.
Usage Tips
Attack single high shells first since the corner and go routes stretch the deep third defenders and create natural picks against Cover 3.
Use the swing route as your answer versus pressure looks, it gives you an instant outlet if the defense brings a nano blitz off the edge.
Hot route the flat receiver into a deeper option if you see zone drops sitting underneath, this keeps the flood alive without clogging the throwing lane.
Pair this play with Four Verticals in your call sheet so the defense has to respect vertical shots every snap, making the corner and go routes harder to jump.
Best used on second and long or third and medium when you need a explosive gain, the double vertical stems put max pressure on inexperienced zone defenders.
