Flat (gridiron football)
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The flat in
hash marks to the out-of-bounds lines (a distance of about 15 yards).[1]
Offenses will typically exploit the flat in order to neutralize a strong attack from the
safeties) will have a clear line for an after-the-catch run. If the quarterback hopes to throw farther downfield, the running back in the flat is an outlet receiver. If the receiver is accompanied by blockers, the play is called a screen pass
.
Defenses meanwhile will generally assign a linebacker "flat responsibility" to guard against such passes, but it is difficult to defend against because the offense will usually use the flat route in conjunction with an attack downfield (sometimes as a feint), necessitating a quick linebacker adjustment to make an early tackle against a faster running back after the pass.
References
- ^ "Glossary: General Football Terms". Football Outsiders. Retrieved 2019-01-28.