Bait The Defense With Your Receiver Splits
The best defenses are those who study offensive tendencies. They are looking for anything that will give them a”tip”. A lot of times this study will include looking at the receiver splits. Splits can tell you much about an offense, particularly in the passing game.
Tight splits can mean several things but in the passing game, more often than not, tight receiver splits happen for a reason. One of those reasons is to help with full field crossing route concepts. Without the tight splits, the quarterback is likely to be laying on their back before they get the ball thrown.
Defenses are not dumb though. Cut those splits down pre-snap and you are sure to hear good defensive backs sounding the alarm. “Alert Crossers!” This is particularly true in the red zone where “crossers” are a great way to pick the man coverage that often comes with defensive pressure.
As an offensive coordinator you have to understand that and use it to your advantage. Here’s a way to get that done out of a half bunch formation to both sides. We call this formation Couple in our FirstDown PlayBook Varsity section.
All Good Coaches Use Their Opponent Against Themselves
This formation smells like crossing routes all the way up until the ball is snapped. As you can see from the drawing it is actually a double smash concept on each side. If you are coaching 7on7 this is a great concept for you to consider too. You are coaching receiver splits aren’t you?
Another advantage with this route concept is that defenses will often sit in two high and wait to see if the offense is going to motion across the formation. The defense is aware that motioning to a full Bunch formation means that there is a heavy run threat.
Can You Use These Concepts With Your Adult Flag Football Offense? Absolutely!
However, they will sit in two high waiting on the motion before rolling up into one high coverage . If you run four verticals out of this formation then this play is an excellent way to put those Corners in a bind that they are not expecting!
