---
title: "Flat Route in Football Explained"
description: "The flat route takes a receiver or back to the sideline at shallow depth. How it is run, how routes to the flat stretch a defense, and when to throw it."
url: https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/routes/flat/
---

route

# Flat Route

A flat route takes a receiver, tight end or back toward the sideline at shallow depth, about 5 yards past an inside release in Crucible's diagram. Alone it is a safe short completion; in concepts it pulls the flat defender wide so the route behind comes open.

![Flat route diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/routes/flat.webp)

## How the Flat Is Run

The receiver works to the flat outside the numbers, gaining width more than depth, and turns back to you on arrival. Arriving too early lets the defender sit on it.

## Why It Matters

It is the bottom half of many low-high reads: the Cover 3 Curl/Flat defender can't take a curl and a flat at once, and in Cover 2 Tampa the flat holds the squatting corner down. If that defender widens, throw the other route; if it sits, throw the flat.

## Common Questions

### What is a flat route in football?

A flat route takes a receiver, tight end or back toward the sideline at shallow depth, about 5 yards past an inside release in Crucible's diagram.

## Concepts Built With the Flat

-

![Twist diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/concepts/twist.thumb.webp)

Twist Flat / Inside Snag / Corner

## Related passing concepts

-

![Curl diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/concepts/curl.thumb.webp)

Curl Diagonal / Curl
-

![Stick diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/concepts/stick.thumb.webp)

Stick Stick / Arrow / Go

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