The Flood Concept: Three Passing Levels on One Side

Aug 17

2 min read

Updated: 1 minute ago

Flood is a passing concept that places receivers at three different depths toward the same sideline. A deep route threatens or clears the top, an intermediate route attacks below it, and a short route reaches the flat.

Part of Football 101. Explore the guide to choose your next topic.

The flood concept is a passing design that places three eligible receivers at three different depths along the same sideline. One route clears the deep defender, one attacks the intermediate sideline and one controls the flat.

The offense wants a defender to choose between two threats while another route occupies his help. Good spacing makes that choice visible to the quarterback.

Build the three levels

A common version pairs a go route, a sail or deep out, and a flat route. The exact routes and depths change by playbook and field position. The intermediate route needs room above the flat and below the deep defender; bunching them together lets one defender influence both.

These are familiar pieces of the route tree, but the concept depends on how they work together.

Consider a basic Cover 3 picture. The outside corner carries the deep route. If the underneath defender runs toward the flat, the intermediate throw may open behind him. If he sinks beneath that throw, the quarterback can take the short completion. The defense can alter those assignments, so this is a teaching example, not a guaranteed opening.

Why flood often travels with a bootleg

A bootleg moves the quarterback toward the three routes. That shortens the throw to the sideline and gives him a clear view of the layered space. Run action may also delay linebackers who need to recover under the intermediate route.

Flood can also work from a stationary pocket. The moving quarterback is a common delivery method, not the definition of the concept.

The read is not always deep to short

The quarterback’s order depends on the play call, protection and coverage. He may check a deep opportunity, key the underneath defender or take an immediate flat answer against pressure. Calling the intermediate route the intended target does not require forcing it when covered.

Defenses can respond with route matching, a safety rotating toward the sail, or a flat defender gaining depth and rallying downhill. Pressure at the rollout edge can force an early throw before the spacing develops.

What to watch

Find the three route levels, then follow the defender between the short and intermediate targets. If he cannot cover both, the offense has created its desired conflict. A short completion can be a successful result when the defense has protected the deeper routes.