Curl Flats Creating Holes in Defense

Playbook: INDY
Play: Curl flats
Formation: Shotgun Big

Steps:
1) Hot route left TE on a drag to the right
2) Hot route right TE on a slant to the left
3) Hot route one of the outside WR’s on a smart routed out-route
4) Hot route other outside WR on a slant to the sideline
5) Pass lead up the slant routes for an easy dot or rocket catch them depending on the defense

K Starr’s Thoughts:

This play is money because of the great tactics that are combined all into one play. We have crossing routes, motion slant outs, rocket catch opportunity, and we have a delay route out the back-field. First and foremost our initial read is the slant out, against man bump and run coverage your WR should get a free release for 15-100 yards on the play. We then have the crossing routes that will cut up any man coverage defense, or even zones as the flat/slant combo on the crossing routes from the TE’s will guarantee one of the two will pop open. We have the out-route rocket that’s great regardless of man/zone, and the same can be said about the HB delay route.

Why it works:

The play works because of the motion-slant requiring attention on both sides of the field, as you could do it to either receiver out of the shotgun big set. The blue-route out the backfield also works as you progress through your reads and is a terreffic bail-out. If this play is run correctly, you should not be stopped.

NOTE: An alternate way to run this play is leave it as is, but motion outside WR half a step. The circle route by the WR is a great quick dot, and the TE flat routes are quick dots or roll out dots as well. This is very effective against blitzes, especially zone blitzes.