Stoping the flood pass

That is a VERTICAL STRETCH, & "COVER 1 MAN/FREE" is usually considered the best coverage available vs the Vert. Stretch.

fricfrak,

Excellent job scouting. Here is a suggestion. Please note that if you are not a "corner-over" team, just treat $ as the inside C and vice-versa:

.......................F

..C.......C..W.....M....S...$
................5....1....3...7
..X.............T.G.C.G.T.Y
............Z..........Q
......................H.......F

On the snap have the FS go to the deep-half to the slot side.

The inside CB blitzes off the edge (H will have to pick him up or he will be unobstructed to the QB) it is OK to show blitz pre-snap.

The outside corner should read X. If he breaks out, stay with him, if he runs a vertical or in-breaking route settle down and look to #2 for an out-breaking route. If it is the fade/out combo, he should intercept a throw to #2. If you are confident it is coming, you may have him turn his back as if running with X for an instant to bait the throw (Asanti Samuel of the Patriots does this often).

Your WLB should break to the outside quickly knowing that a quick slant to Z may be coming, if Z goes vertical or breaks out, look to #1, then #3.

There are a few things you can do with your MLB, SLB and SS. One of them should be locked on Y. I would be happy to discuss this further if you have interest.

Against that play, about the only chance for a completion should be to very quickly hit the back in the flat over the rushing DB. However, the CB and WLB should both be available to stop him for a modest gain. A more likely result is a sack or interception.

thanks coaches, good stuff so far.

COACH SCOTT,

Always enjoy reading your posts. However, on this one I don't get your thinking as far as the inside c would be unobstructed to the QB and the only alternative would be to hit the h with a quick pop (exactly what I would do most often) in that scenario. But, it would be just as good, imo, to CHECK RELEASE the H into the pattern after he has chucked the blitzing inside C. yOU DON'T HAVE TO ROACH THE GUY, JUST DELAY HIS RUSH TO THE QB. Agreed?

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

Coach Easton,

Sorry if I did not explain clearly. The outside CB will not be run off, he will be looking to jump that out to Z. The FS will be picking up X. When the ball is released to H, the outside CB will be facing the LOS and should be able to close quickly on H, along with the LB(s).

I think your idea of a check release by the HB makes sense but if it is the rollout/sprint out play the poster expects, that will not buy much time as the QB will be rolling into the pressure of the CB and the 5 tech.

According to the poster's fine scouting, the opponent employs this play on passing downs. Even if they complete a pass to the back it should be for a short gain (hopefully not enough for the first down). If we can bait him into throwing to Z, we have a chance for a big play on defense.

There are ways to beat this call to be sure, so it should not be over used, but I feel the risk/reward balance makes it very much worth having available.

Thanks for the constructive feedback.

-Scott