How do you set up Curl Flat Gun Trips in College Football 26?

Select Gun Trips Tight End formation and call Curl Flat play. For the hot route setup: Press Y/Triangle, select tight end, then down on right stick to create a drag route. This gives you a three-level attack with the tight end drag underneath, halfback angle route, and post route pushing defenders deep.

When should I use Gun Trips Curl Flat?

Use it in any down and distance - it works against zone coverage, man coverage, blitz packages, and goal line situations. It's especially effective when you need reliable yards, against aggressive defenses that blitz, in the red zone, and for third down conversions.

What routes do you read first in Curl Flat Gun Trips?

Read the tight end drag route first - if he's got space, hit him because the YAC potential is huge. If the drag isn't open, look to the halfback angle route. One of these two routes opens up almost every time since they work together perfectly.

Why is Gun Trips Curl Flat so effective against defenses?

It creates a three-level attack where the post route pushes coverage deep and opens underneath space, while the drag and angle routes attack different timing and areas. The post route forces interior zones to drop back, creating a window for the quick-developing drag route underneath.

What does the post route do in Curl Flat Gun Trips?

The post route does the setup work by pushing interior zones back and creating space for the money routes underneath. You won't hit it much unless they're in man coverage, but against man coverage it can break open when the defender turns his back.

Curl Flat Gun Trips Guide CFB 26

How to Set Up Curl Flat Gun Trips

Gun Trips Tight End formation. Curl Flat play. One simple hot route — drag the tight end.

Pre-snap setup: Press Y/Triangle, select tight end, down on right stick. That's it.

Now you've got a nasty combo. Tight end drag underneath. Halfback angle route. Post route pushing defenders deep. Most defenses can't handle all three levels.

Read the drag first. If he's got space — hit him. YAC potential is huge. This thing turns into touchdowns constantly.

No drag? Look halfback angle. One of these two routes opens up almost every time. They work together perfectly.

The post route does the dirty work. Pushes interior zones back. Creates that underneath pocket for your money routes. You won't hit the post much unless they're in man coverage — but that's not the point.

When to Use Gun Trips Curl Flat

This is your bread and butter passing concept. Works against:

Zone coverage — drag finds the soft spot
Man coverage — post route can break open
Blitz packages — quick reads get the ball out fast
Goal line situations — tight end drag is money in the red zone

Use it on any down and distance. First down? Check. Third and medium? Absolutely. Red zone? Perfect.

The beauty is consistency. You're not hunting for the perfect matchup or waiting for specific coverage. This concept attacks multiple levels of the defense at once.

Best situations:

When you need reliable yards
Against aggressive defenses that like to blitz
Red zone trips — tight end drag is automatic
Third down conversions

Why Gun Trips Curl Flat Destroys Defenses

Three-level attack. High routes push coverage deep. Middle route (angle) occupies linebackers. Low route (drag) finds the soft spot.

The post route is your setup man. He's not your primary target — he's creating space for everyone else. Interior zones have to respect that vertical threat. They drop back. Opens up that beautiful underneath window.

Drag route timing is perfect. Quick developing. Gets into space fast. Defense can't key on it because they're worried about deeper routes.

Halfback angle route complements perfectly. If drag is covered — angle route usually breaks open. Different timing, different area of the field.

Against man coverage? Now that post route becomes live. Defender turns his back — easy completion over the top.

Step-by-Step Execution

Formation selection: Gun Trips Tight End

Play call: Curl Flat

Hot route setup:

Press Y/Triangle (hot route menu)
Select tight end
Down on right stick (drag route)

Pre-snap read: Look at safety alignment. High safeties usually mean zone. Low safeties might be man or robber coverage.

Post-snap progression:

Eyes to tight end drag immediately. Is he open? Clean pocket? Fire it.
No drag? Check halfback angle. Usually breaks open when drag is covered.
Advanced read: Post route if you see man coverage and safety help is late.

Timing: Don't hold the ball too long. This is about quick decisions and quick throws.

What Counters This Concept

Smart defenses will try a few things:

Robber coverage: Linebacker sitting in the middle, waiting to jump routes. Counter this by using the angle route more — it's outside the robber's zone.

Aggressive man coverage with safety help: They'll try to take away the post route and jam the drag. Look for the halfback angle — usually gets free against man.

Cover 2 with underneath defenders: Two high safeties, linebackers dropping to cover short routes. This is the toughest look. Consider audibles or use play action to move those linebackers.

Blitz packages: Extra rushers can disrupt timing. Get the ball out faster — drag route is your friend here.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Staring down the post route. It's a setup route, not your primary read. Drag and angle routes are your money makers.

Holding the ball too long. This isn't a deep developing concept. Quick reads, quick throws.

Ignoring the halfback angle. When drag is covered, angle route usually breaks open. Don't force the drag.

Wrong formation. Gun Trips Tight End specifically. Other gun trips formations won't give you the same route combinations.

Forgetting the hot route. Without that tight end drag, you're missing the best part of this concept.

Works on Heisman difficulty. Works against human opponents. One of the best passing concepts in the game — when you know how to read it right.

Curl Flat Gun Trips