Flood
Philosophy
This is the standard Flood play. We want to create an overload by putting 3 WR's in to an area covered by 2 defenders. This play is great for zone coverage.
Formation
We prefer the Flood out of 3x1 but can run it from a 2x2 set with the back as the 3rd WR.
Alignment
Y aligns outside the numbers. H and Z align 3 yards apart anywhere from the tackle to inside the hash. X aligns outside the opposite hash mark.
Pre-Snap Read
QB looks for 7 man Blitz. If he determines blitz he has Z on a Flat route as his Hot.
If QB sees no threat of blitz he looks to see who the Flat defender will be.
Post-Snap Read
QB takes 5 quick steps and Hitch and finds Flat defender. If SS is Flat defender and he does anything but cover the Flat route QB should pull up early at 3 steps and hit the Flat route now. If SS covers the Flat route, QB looks SS off to the Z's Flat route and hits H behind him on the Sail route. SS cannot effectively cover H and Z's routes so throw the ball to the one he does not cover.
If CB is the Flat defender QB should see if he can hit Y in the void area behind the CB. If CB does anything but cover the Flat route hit it now. If CB covers the Flat look CB off to the Flat route and Hit H behind him on the Sail route.
Bump coverage look for the Wr who has beaten his man. Y's Fade to Z's Flat to H's Sail. X will run a backside Post/Dig.
Pattern Adjustments
X Post/Dig route
Zone or Man X will put his head down and run to a spot 30 yards deep, 1yrd inside the Hash. X will not look back to QB until he has gotten by the CB and FS. X breaks his skinny Post route at 12 yards. If X sees 2 Safeties break at 12 yards and run a Dig across the Formation in front of the Safeties and behind the LB's
Z Flat Route
Zone or Man break at 45 degrees toward the side line and run to a spot 6 yards deep.
Turn head and shoulders back to QB and look for the ball quick. If you near the side line stop and wait for ball. Bump coverage lean into man at the LOS and run away from him.
Y Fade Route
Zone or Man release off ball 3/4 speed. At 7 yards Fade to the outside and create a horizontal separation between you and the CB. Kick in the throttle and run by him creating a vertical stretch. Run by the CB look for the ball high and over the shoulder. If CB stays home in a press or hard technique throttle down and look for the ball in the void area behind the CB.
H Sail route
Zone sprint up field and at 10 Yards break outside. You have the Choice to sit in open window, run to side line or Corner off the SS. The main key is to get open and look for the ball. Man lean into the defender and run away from him toward the side line.
Defensive Problems
1. Over shifted LB's- The SS jumps the Flat route and SLB jumps the Sail. If this happens we play it like man coverage and have H look like he's running vertical, lean into the SLB and run toward the side line. You can change it up by running 60 Flood and having H and Z switch responsibilities.
2. Cover 2 or Rolled up CB - The CB jumps the Flat and SS/SLB combo the Sail. We can hit the WR in the Void before the FS can get their or H can take his Sail route into a Corner and beat the SS deep to the Outside. H can run a dudley route splitting the Safeties and put a 2 on 1 on the 1/2 field safety.
Conclusion
Flood is a great play against Zone coverage. They cannot effectively cover the 3 WR's with 2 defenders. The options of the Sail route give H the freedom to get open allowing him plenty of room to maneuver.