Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Curl Flat out of Pro Split Backs (21 personnel) sends the backside X on a deep vertical clear route while the backside slot runs a curl to sit down over the middle linebacker. On the strong side the TE runs a shallow flat route out of the backfield area while the HB marked with the number 1 releases into the flat to the opposite side, giving the quarterback a curl-flat combo on both edges of the field. This is a zone beater built to attack Cover 2 and Cover 3 by stretching the flat defender vertically with the curl and horizontally with the flat, and the primary read progression starts with the curl route working down to the flat if the linebacker sinks under it.
Defensive Reads
Read the underneath zone defender responsible for the curl to flat window, if he widens to the flat the curl route is open behind him. Check the deep safety alignment presnap, a two high shell confirms this play should attack the flat and curl combo rather than looking for a deep shot. Watch for a user controlled linebacker sitting in a lurk position over the middle, he can jump the curl route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Man coverage with no underneath help can be exploited by the flat route creating natural separation against a trailing defender, but a hard blitz can beat this play before the flat fully develops. Cover 3 with an aggressive squat corner on the curl route shuts down the primary read, forcing the quarterback to check down to the flat route as a safety valve.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify the flat defender responsibility, if a cornerback or linebacker is sitting shallow in the flat zone the curl route behind him is the automatic answer.
Against Cover 3 with a hard flat defender, hit the flat route quickly before the corner can squeeze the throwing lane, this is a built in conflict for zone defenders.
Use the deep clearing route on the backside to occupy any deep half safety in Cover 2 looks, this opens a throwing window for the curl sitting at intermediate depth.
Pair this play with Slants or Quick Outs in your play calling sequence so you can go from a high low curl flat read to a quicker rhythm throw if the defense adjusts its linebacker depth after seeing Curl Flat once.
Best called on second and medium or third and short to medium since the curl and flat combo gives a quick underneath answer against zone drops without needing a deep shot.
