Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Mtn Drive HB Trail is a bunch-based passing concept out of Shotgun Bunch Spread Nasty that stacks a deep crosser (gold) over a shallow drive route (red) with a trailing dig route (blue) working underneath from the opposite side, while the outside receiver on the strong side clears vertically before working back on an out breaker. The HB stays in to check release before working to the flat as a trail option underneath everything. This is a cover 4 beater built to attack seam and hook defenders with horizontal crossers and layered depth, and the primary read progression starts with the shallow drive route underneath, works to the trailing dig behind it, then bounces to the deep crosser if the middle of the field opens up.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if safeties are showing two-high or rotating down since quarters shells with deep safeties tied to the seams are the primary target for this concept. Watch linebacker depth at the snap since shallow zone drops from mike or will linebackers can jump the drive route if they read quarterback eyes early. Key on any user-controlled defender sitting in the shallow hook zone since that defender can undercut both the drive and trail routes if not accounted for. Man coverage on the bunch alignment struggles against the natural rub created by the crossers, so look for defenders getting picked or trailing late. Disguised blitzes off the edge can pressure this concept quickly since the quarterback needs a full progression read, so check for extra rushers creeping toward the boundary pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Motion the bunch receiver pre-snap to identify if the defense is playing man or zone based on how the defender reacts to the shift.
Against cover 4 or quarters shells, target the drive and trail combo since the underneath crossers create natural picks against zone defenders sinking into their landmarks.
If the defense shows heavy blitz pre-snap, get to the shallow drive route immediately since it acts as a built-in hot route against pressure.
Pair this play with Mtn Slot Cross or Mtn Slot Under in your play-calling sequence since the route concepts look similar pre-snap but attack different levels, keeping linebackers and safeties honest.
Use this on second or third and medium situations where the layered crossers can pick up a manageable chunk against zone drops without needing a home run shot downfield.
