Passing Concepts Flashcards
Curl Flats
Primary receiver runs vertical for 10-12 yards and then curls to the inside facing the QB. Secondary receiver runs flat. Forces one defender to choose between two routes. If he drops down to play the flat, hit the curl route. If the defender stays back, check down to the flat.
Stick Read
Inner most receiver run the stick route and the next receiver outside runs a flat or quick out. Forces a zone defender to choose between a flat route and a stick route. If the defender heads to the flat, the stick will be wide open.
Smash
Outside receiver runs a short route and inside receiver runs a corner route. Isolates the flat zone defender and forces him to choose between the short or deep route.
Shallow Cross
Shallow cross route and a dig route coming from opposite directions. Since these routes are at different depths, the force a single zone defender to choose short or deep.
Spot
Outside receiver runs a short, slanted curl route, while the inside receivers run a corner and flat route. The spot route is key to the concept as it can hold the zone inside to make room for the corner route. While the flat route is rarely targeted, it keeps the defense occupied.
Drive
Drag and dig routes coming from the same direction with the drag lining up outside the dig route. Creates a look similar to the levels concepts and forces a zone defender to choose between a short or deep responsibility.
Slant Flats
Short route with a receiver breaking towards the middle of the field.
HB Slip Screen
HB delays and releases outside on the screen play. Low-risk, high-reward play to call on 3rd and long.
Switch
Outside receiver runs inside and then vertical and the inside receiver release outside and vertical. Use this against press coverage between the routes usually get a free release off of the line of scrimmage.
Spacing
Three receivers running short routes that are horizontally spaced to stretch the defense. One of the best concepts near the goal line.
Texas
One receiver runs through the middle to clear an area for another receiver to run into that vacated area.
FL/SE Screen
Receiver screen where the outside receiver gets the ball quick. Usefully any time you have a numbers advantage on the outside or sense the defense blitzing.
Flood
Three level route where outsider receivers are deep and inside receivers are medium and short. Stresses the defense vertically. Target the flat route against Cover 4, the out route against Cover 3, and deep against Cover 2 if you have a size advantage.
Verticals
Vertical go routes spaced evenly across the field. Once you get a zone read, you should also have one extra target going deep that the defense can’t cover.
Mesh
Two receivers running crossing routes from opposite sides of the field. This is a great play to call against man-to-man coverage because of how close the routes run, defenders will have a hard time keeping up.
