Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Mtn Spot is a Spot concept out of Pistol Strong Slot Open that pairs a classic zone-beating triangle read on the right side with a shallow drag/motion man beater sweeping across the formation. Post-snap, the outside receiver runs a deep corner/go route to clear out the zone, the slot man works an out-and-under settling in the flat area, and the flat route sits low as the underneath component of the spot triangle, while the motion man drags across the field from the backside to give you a built-in man beater versus trailing defenders. The primary read progression starts with the deep corner route to hold the safety, then works down to the settle route in the middle zone, and finishes with the flat and drag as your check-down options against underneath pressure.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment, a single high safety cheating toward the strong side tips Cover 3 and signals the corner route will draw him deep, opening the settle route underneath. Watch the flat defender or curl-flat linebacker at the snap, if he sinks with the settle route the flat route becomes wide open for an easy pitch and catch. User lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field can jump the settle route, so if you see a defender flashing toward that landmark be ready to check down to the drag or flat immediately. Man coverage with the cornerback pressing the drag route defender at the line signals a blitz behind it, so get the ball out fast to the flat or hot route the drag to break outside. Cover 4 shells with corners squatting on short routes will take away the flat and settle, forcing you to trust the deep corner route one-on-one against a deep quarter defender.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing Cover 3 or Cover 4 shell since the corner route and settle route punish single-high safeties who have to respect the deep third.
If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, hot route the corner route to a fade or keep it as is and target the drag route immediately since it stresses man defenders crossing the field.
Use this on early downs or third and medium since the spot concept gives you a high-low read that holds up against both zone drops and man leverage.
Pair Mtn Spot with China Y Corner or PA Flood in your play-calling sequence to keep defenders honest on the same side of the field with similar route levels but different landmarks.
Motion the drag route pre-snap if the defense does not adjust, that is a strong indicator of zone coverage and tells you the settle route in the middle will have space to work.
