Glossary

Horizontal stretch

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What it is

Spreading routes across the width of the field to make a zone defender cover more ground than he can.

Why it matters

Where a high-low attacks one defender vertically, a horizontal stretch attacks a group laterally: three receivers across a zone that has two defenders in it means somebody is uncovered, and the throw goes to whoever is furthest from help. Flood and spacing are the archetypes, and both are most effective against spot-drop zone, which cannot expand to meet them.

Also called

Programs call this horizontal stretch, flood the zone, width or spread them out. The Coach answers to any of them.

Related

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