Playbooks

Mtn Switch Verts

Shotgun·5WR Trio·11
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense MotioninoceanOffense

Breakdown

Mtn Switch Verts is a vertical stretch concept built out of the 5WR Trio bunch look in Shotgun, designed to attack single-high and deep zone shells with a switch release at the top of the routes to shake man coverage. The switch action crosses the outside and slot receivers early to create natural picks against man defenders while all four remaining eligible receivers push vertical seams and outs down the field, functioning as both a man beater and a zone beater against Cover 3 and Cover 1. The primary read starts with the switch release receiver working to the numbers, then progresses to the deep middle seam if the safety bites on the switch, and finally to the backside vertical for a one-on-one shot against soft corners.

Defensive Reads

Identify pre-snap whether the defense is showing single high or two high, this dictates which vertical route will have the best matchup after the switch release clears traffic. Watch the corner over the switch release receivers, if he tries to stay outside leverage and fights through the pick you know you are facing disciplined man coverage and should progress quickly to the backside seam. Key the middle linebacker or a user lurk defender sitting in the deep middle hole, if he widens to help on the switch route the backside vertical will be wide open against Cover 3. Recognize Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells by the corners playing off and deep, these coverages take away the outside verticals so you need to hit the switch route underneath before the safety can rotate over. Beware disguised zone blitzes where the slot defender drops late, if you see a defensive back creeping toward the line pre-snap get through your progression fast since the protection may not hold up long enough for the deep routes to develop.

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety means the switch release should isolate a corner immediately after the pick, while two deep safeties tells you to work the deep middle seam against the vacated hole.

Hot route the backside vertical into a comeback or sit route if you see Cover 2 or Cover 4 to give yourself a shorter, higher percentage throw instead of forcing the deep ball into two deep defenders.

Use this play on second and long or third and long when you need a explosive gain, the switch release naturally creates rub traffic that slows down man defenders trying to stay in phase.

Pair Mtn Switch Verts with Mtn Spacing or Curl Flats earlier in a drive so the defense respects the shorter routes, this sets up the verticals to hit big once the defense starts jumping underneath throws.

Against user linebackers who like to spy or drop into the deep middle, throw off their momentum by looking off with your eyes toward the switch side before coming back to the backside vertical.

Other Plays in 5WR Trio