Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Curl Flat out of Singleback Y Off Trio features a trips bunch look to the left with a deep crosser from the backside X, a curl route sitting down in the intermediate zone, and a flat route releasing underneath from the slot. The lone receiver to the right runs a vertical clear-out route to occupy the deep defender and open up the flat and curl combo underneath. This is a classic zone beater built to attack Cover 2 and Cover 3 by working the curl-to-flat stretch on one side of the field, with the primary read progressing from the curl sitting in the window down to the flat if the underneath defender jumps the curl route.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender at the snap, if he widens with the flat route the curl will be open behind him in the intermediate zone. Key the curl to flat side linebacker's depth, if he sinks too deep into the curl window the flat route will be wide open for an easy pitch and catch. Against Cover 3, the deep third defender on the trips side has to respect the crosser and clear-out route, which should open a passing lane for the curl. Man coverage with no underneath help is the biggest threat to this concept since the curl and flat routes have no natural separation against tight man technique. User controlled defenders sitting in the shallow flat or lurking in the curl window can jump both routes, so be ready to check to the backside crosser if you see a defender flashing there before the snap.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two deep safeties or a single high safety to confirm Cover 2 or Cover 3 before the snap.
Use the vertical clear-out on the backside to hold the single cornerback or safety and prevent him from cheating over to help on the curl flat side.
If the flat defender squats on the flat route, hot route the curl into a sit or move the TE into a deeper route to layer the coverage.
This play works best on second and medium or third and short since the curl and flat combo gives a quick, high percentage completion window.
Pair this with Four Verticals or PA Cross Dig from the same set so the defense cannot sit on the short curl flat concept once they start keying on it.
