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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Curls Read Special out of the Split Backs 3WR set shows a five man route concept with two backfield checkdown options and a vertical shot on the boundary. The X receiver runs a deep flag/corner route up top marked as the number one read, while the slot runs a deep dig that settles as a curl, the outside receiver runs a short curl at the sticks, and both backs release into flat routes underneath. This is a zone beating curl flat concept with built in levels, so the primary progression is the deep flag or corner read first, then work down to the curl sitting in the intermediate zone, and finally check to the flat routes if the underneath defenders squat on the curls.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender at the snap, since his depth tells you whether the curl route will have a throwing lane behind him. Identify if the defense is playing Cover 3 with a deep third corner, which is the shell this play is designed to exploit because the corner or flag route can split the numbers. Key the middle linebacker's zone drop, since a shallow drop will clog the curl read and force the quarterback to work outside to the flag route sooner. Against man coverage, look for a nano blitz or press alignment on the outside receiver, which signals the corner route may get jumped and the quarterback needs to check down immediately. If both safeties rotate to one side pre snap, expect a rotated zone that leaves the backside curl or flat route open as the emergency valve.
Usage Tips
Use this on second or third and medium when you expect zone coverage and want a levels concept that stresses the deep and intermediate windows.
Check the safety alignment pre snap. Two high shells tell you the corner route up top has a soft window to work with against a smaller zone defender.
If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4, key the flat defender and hit the curl sitting behind him before working to the deep number one read.
Hot route the backside checkdown into a quicker option if you see man coverage creeping down, since the curls become tougher to separate against tight man leverage.
Pair this play with Slot Z Out or WR Hook Outs in the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick zone beaters and this deeper levels shot, forcing linebackers to widen their drops.
