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Bunch Passing Concepts - Play Sheet

Formation: 3x1 Bunch Right

                    H   Z   X
                    |   |   |  
                    ●───●───●  (2-3 yard spacing)
                        |
Y                      QB
|                       |
●                      RB
(Single receiver left)

Core Concepts

1. Stick Concept (vs. Zone Coverage)

Formation: 3x1 Bunch
Concept: Horizontal stretch of linebackers

H: 12-yard Dig ────────→
Z: 8-yard Stick     ●
X: 6-yard Hitch ●       
Y: 12-yard Comeback ●   

QB Read: Middle linebacker
- If LB drops → throw stick
- If LB sits → throw dig over top

Coaching Points: - Z receiver finds soft spot in zone - H receiver crosses face of safety - X receiver sits vs. pressure - Y is hot route vs. blitz

2. Smash Concept (vs. Man Coverage)

Formation: 3x1 Bunch
Concept: High-low corner with pick potential

H: Corner route      ●╱╲
Z: Speed out (6 yds) ●→ 
X: Corner route        ╱╲●
Y: 15-yard Out ●→       

QB Read: Corner/Safety
- Single high → throw corner behind safety
- Two high → throw speed out underneath

Coaching Points: - Natural pick/rub action in bunch - Z must get width on speed out - H and X coordinate releases to avoid collisions - Timing: 5-step drop

3. Mills Concept (Flood)

Formation: 3x1 Bunch
Concept: Overload zone coverage with levels

H: 8-yard Drag →→→→→→●
Z: 12-yard Square-in →●  
X: 18-yard Comeback ●    
Y: 20-yard Go         ●

QB Read: Inside-out progression
1. Check drag first
2. Square-in in window
3. Comeback vs. leverage

Coaching Points: - H sets pick for others, then drags - Z finds hole between LB and safety - X drives vertical first, breaks back - Work quickly to avoid coverage rotation

4. Four Verticals

Formation: 3x1 Bunch
Concept: Stretch defense vertically, convert routes

H: Seam (read safety) ●
Z: Seam (read safety) ●  
X: Seam (read safety) ●    
Y: Seam               ●

Coverage Conversions:
- Cover 2: All bend to seams at 18-20 yds
- Cover 3: Outside convert to comebacks 12-15 yds  
- Cover 4: Inside seams, outside corners

RPO Package

Zone + Slant

Read: Inside linebacker
- If LB steps to run → throw slant
- If LB sits on slant → hand off zone

Zone + Bubble

Count the box (6+ = throw bubble)
H: Bubble screen ●→→→
Z: Block          ●
X: Block          ●

Zone + Stick

Read: Middle linebacker leverage
- If LB over top → hand off
- If LB underneath → throw stick behind

Route Tree Reference

Complete Passing Tree

         9 (Go)
         |
         |    8 (Post)
   6 ----+---- 7 (Corner)
(Comeback)|
         |    2 (Dig)
   4 ----+---- 3 (Out)
(Hitch)  |
         1 (Quick Out)
         
         0 (Slant/Quick Game)

Bunch-Specific Route Combinations

Concept H Route Z Route X Route Best vs.
Stick 2 (Dig) Stick 4 (Hitch) Zone
Smash 7 (Corner) 1 (Speed Out) 7 (Corner) Man
Mills 2 (Drag) 2 (Dig) 6 (Comeback) Zone
Verticals 9 (Seam) 9 (Seam) 9 (Seam) All
Flood 1 (Out) 3 (Out) 6 (Comeback) Zone
Pick 5 (Slant) 1 (Out) 9 (Fade) Man

Quick Game Package (3-Step Drop)

Slant-Flat Combo

H: Slant (5 yards) ●╱
Z: Flat route      ●→
X: Slant (5 yards)   ╱●

Read: Leverage of linebackers

Hitch Combo

H: Speed hitch ●
Z: Speed hitch ●
X: Speed hitch ●

Read: First open receiver, work outside-in

Now Screen (Bubble)

H: Bubble screen →→→●
Z: Block most dangerous ●
X: Block outside       ●

Read: Pre-snap numbers (throw if 2x1)

Deep Shot Package

All Go’s

H: Fade ●
Z: Go   ●  
X: Fade ●
Y: Go   ●

Coaching Points: - Outside fades to back shoulder - Inside go’s split safeties - Give QB 7-step protection

Post-Corner

H: Post route     ●╱
Z: 15-yard Out    ●→
X: Corner route     ╲●
Y: Deep comeback ●

Read: High safety - throw away from rotation

Red Zone Package

Fade Package

H: Back-shoulder fade ●
Z: Speed out          ●→
X: Back-shoulder fade ●
Y: 8-yard Out         ●→

Pick Package

H: Pick + corner ●╱╲
Z: Slant for pick ●╱
X: Fade          ●
Y: Quick out     ●→

Smash Red Zone

H: Corner        ●╱╲
Z: Speed out (4) ●→
X: Fade          ●
Y: Arrow route   ●↗

Protection Schemes

3x1 Protection Rules

Position Assignment
LT Big-on-big with LG, work to LB
LG A gap to Mike LB
C Identify Mike, work A gaps
RG A gap to Mike LB
RT Big-on-big with RG, work to LB
RB Scan inside-out, pick up blitzer

Hot Routes vs. Pressure

Practice Progressions

Week 1: Installation

Week 2: Development

Week 3: Mastery

Game Planning Checklist

Down & Distance

Field Position

Coverage Identification