Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
494 F Flat out of Strong I Pro (21 personnel) is a play-action style dropback pass with a vertical stretch concept. The fullback releases to the flat as the outlet, the Y (in-line TE) runs a deep vertical seam splitting the middle of the field, the split end on the backside runs a corner/flag route up the sideline, and the X receiver on the left works an out and up to the pylon area. The number 1 receiver on the right runs a deep go route to clear space for the flat route underneath, creating a natural high low read on that side. This is a man beater against off coverage and a zone beater against Cover 3 or Cover 2 because the vertical seam and go route occupy deep defenders while the flat route sits in the void. Primary read progression starts with the seam (Y route) working down to the F flat, then works to the backside corner route if the safety commits underneath.
Defensive Reads
Read the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sits shallow to spy the run fake the seam route from the Y will beat him vertically for a big gain. Identify single high safety shells before the snap, Cover 3 and Cover 1 are vulnerable to this concept since the flat defender cannot cover both the fullback and the vertical routes at once. Watch for user controlled defenders dropping into the flat or lurking underneath the seam, a smart user will rob the fullback route which forces the quarterback to work the seam or backside corner instead. Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties can squeeze the seam route, so key the safety rotation post snap to decide between the seam throw and the backside corner route which attacks the vacated deep half. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge get exposed here since the fullback flat route serves as a built in hot route answer against pressure, so watch the box count and edge alignment before the snap.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hot route on the X receiver to check the corner leverage before the snap, since off coverage on that side signals green light for the flat and seam combo. Look for single high safety shells presnap, if the safety is shaded to the field side the backside corner route from the X becomes the money throw against Cover 3. Against zone heavy defenses, hold the ball a beat longer to let the Y clear the linebacker level on the seam before checking down to the fullback in the flat. This play pairs well with FB Dive and HB Iso in the playbook since the run action from those plays sets up defenders to bite on the play fake, making the seam and flat combo more explosive on second reps. Best used on second and medium or third and short to medium since the flat route provides a safe checkdown while the deep shots stay in play if the defense sells out on run support.
