Flood diagram
- 1
Go, out and flat on the same side put three receivers in two defenders' zones. QB reads it deep to short.
When to call Flood
Run it when the defense is in zone and the underneath defender on the trips side tends to jump short routes. The 10-yard out opens behind him.
It works best from the left hash or the middle of the field. On the right hash the routes get squeezed, so flip the formation.
Flood: each player's job
QB
Glance at Z's go route, then throw the out to Y at 10 yards. If the flat defender sinks under Y, drop it to H.
C
Run a 5-yard hitch. It keeps the middle defender from sliding toward the flood side.
X
Run a post across the deep middle from the left. It holds the safety away from Z and Y.
Z
Sprint a go route up the right sideline and take the deep defender with you.
Y
You get the first look. From the middle spot in the trips, run 10 yards up and break flat toward the right sideline.
H
From the inside spot, run to the right flat about 2 yards past the line and get your head around early.
F
Run a flat route to the left. You are the outlet if the right side is covered.
What the quarterback looks at
The quarterback takes one look at Z. If the deep defender got beat badly, throw the go. Most of the time that defender runs with Z, and Y's out becomes the first real throw.
Now find the flat defender on the right. If he comes up for H, Y is open behind him at 10 yards. If he backs up under Y, throw the flat to H and let him run.
How to teach Flood at practice
- 1
Place three cones on the right side at 2, 10 and 20 yards. H, Y and Z each run to their cone so they see the spacing.
- 2
Throw the out to Y against air.
- 3
Add a coach as the flat defender. He takes H or Y and the quarterback throws the other.
Common mistakes
- Y breaks at 6 or 7 yards and ends up next to H, where one defender covers both. Y has to get to 10.
- The out throw is late and floats toward the sideline. A late out is an easy interception, so throw it on time or throw the flat.
- Z jogs because he knows he is a decoy. If he does not sprint, the deep defender sits on the out.
Flood FAQ
Is flood the same as the sail concept?
Yes, both names describe a deep route, an intermediate out and a flat route to the same side.
Why run flood from trips?
Trips puts all three flood receivers on the same side to start. Nobody has to cross the formation, so the routes develop faster.
What if the defense is in man coverage?
Flood is built for zone. Against man, look to X on the post or to whichever receiver has beaten his defender.
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