The Mesh concept is a classic man-beater that creates rubs and picks as players run across the field. While primarily used against man coverage, it can also be effective against zone by having receivers throttle down in open space.
Read More: Drive Concept
Mesh Concept + Assignments
Mesh forces defenders to track underneath routes in man or zone coverage. If run correctly, the scheme makes defenders bubble over opposing routes which creates separation for players to catch the ball on the move. Against zone coverage, those underneath routes continue their same path, but settle into open space. The foundation of Mesh rests on two routes:
- A shallow drag at 4-5 yards
- A shallow drag from the opposite side of the formation at 5-6 yards
Those two routes want to run as close to each other as possible. One drag is designated to go under and one drag is designated to go over. That forces the defender chasing in man to run over the top of the higher drag. That underneath drag is the route and player the offense is working to get open.
Against zone, players settle in space after they clear the tackle on the opposite side. That requires defenses to transfer zones and pass off routes.
Many teams attempt to create even more of a rub and will run a spot or cross sit route alongside the higher drag route. That creates one extra level for the chasing defender to have to navigate over and can create even more separation. Against zone, that spot route can often settle in a vacated area as players chase the drags.
Other systems use basics or digs over the top to create a high low read between the drags and the dig at 10-12 yards. The spot route is better for man coverage, the dig is better to attack zone.
Read More: Dagger Concept
Teams will also utilize the running back to clear play-side space for the shallow drag. A flare or swing from the back pulls the play-side linebacker out to the flats and opens up a window for the drag coming across behind.
Coverage Read for Mesh
The Mesh concept wants to get the ball to the underneath drag. However, there are a few things the quarterback needs to read before he gets there. That route takes time to develop, so it can’t be the first read in the progression. You’ll almost always see tight formations or the two drag routes run by slot receivers or tight ends. That helps make the concept hit quicker.
Generally, there is also a deep route somewhere in the play to attack vertically if space is available. For the quarterback, the reads are:
- Alert the deep route – usually a corner or fade
- Locate the flat defender
- If the flare or quick out has leverage on them, take the throw
- If the flat defender has widened with the flare from the running back or the out route, come back underneath to the drag and confirm leverage to throw
Read More: Sail Concept
The Vikings are running Mesh out of an empty formation here. There’s no running back, but you have a receiver out in the flats to immediately pull the flat defender and try to out-leverage them. There is a corner route and the two high and low shallow drag routes. The quick out widens the flat defender, the rub in the middle creates separation, and there’s a window to throw the shallow drag.
Comparatively, the spot route variation can make it almost impossible for a defender to track across the field with the shallow drag. Two separate rubs create a lot of separation and space to run.
When the running back or immediate flat route wins leverage outside, it’s a great high percentage throw that gets your player the ball with a chance to turn the corner. That spot route is effective both for springing the back and the shallow drag. Here, the #2 receiver is able to hook up and force the linebacker to track over the top to chase the running back going to the flats.
Read More: Stick Concept
If a team identifies zone coverage, the spot route or dig can settle in the middle of the field directly over the ball. Especially against light underneath zone coverages like Cover 4, the underneath drags pull the flat defenders and leaves a window in the middle of the field for the spot route.
Both of the shallow drags can also settle in zone coverage so that they don’t run into waiting defenders.
Double Move Off of Mesh
Teams will also find ways to work double moves off of the Mesh concept. Once teams run Mesh a few times, they can attack aggressive defenders. Defenses eventually know that the picks are coming and shoot underneath the routes. Here, the Raiders wheel back out of the Mesh concept to exploit the Texans who are trying to follow in man. The rub still gets a piece of the trailing defender to create even more separation.
Read More: Y-Cross Concept
Summary
The Mesh concept is a great solution for attacking man coverage. It schemes space, can exploit speed mismatches, and is a high percentage throw. When defenses adjust, there’s always a wrinkle to add to make them pay and when it’s run well, it’s almost impossible to defend.