PA Sprint HB Flat

Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as cornerbacks in press or tight trail alignment, since this play is built to exploit man defenders who have to work through the run fake and traffic. Identify if the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with deep safeties, as those coverages can rob the deep in-breaking routes if the underneath defenders sink quickly after diagnosing pass. Key the flat defender or outside linebacker responsible for the HB, if he stays home instead of biting on the play fake, the flat route will be covered and you must progress to the deeper breaking routes. Watch for a user controlled defender lurking in the shallow flat or spying the QB rollout, since a smart human defender can jump the HB flat route and turn it into a turnover opportunity. Recognize blitz packages that bring pressure off the edge into the rollout direction, since a well timed contain blitz can collapse the pocket before the QB gets outside the tackle box to make his reads.