Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 12 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Slot Under features a bunch alignment on the play side with a pre-snap motion crossing behind the formation to the opposite side. From the bunch, one receiver runs a deep corner route stretching the sideline while another climbs on a deep crossing route to the far side, occupying the deep half. The middle receiver runs an under route working from the bunch stem underneath the corner, sitting in the flat/hook area, while the running back leaks out to the flat on a check release. This is a man beater built off natural rub traffic from the bunch, with the under route serving as the primary read against man coverage and the deep crosser as a secondary window versus zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Watch the motion defender pre-snap: if a linebacker or slot corner mirrors the motion man across the formation, you are facing man coverage and the under route should come open quickly. Key the deep safeties before the snap. Two high safeties suggest Cover 2 or Cover 4, which softens the corner route but opens the under route underneath. Post snap, track the flat defender and any user controlled linebacker sitting in the shallow zone since they can jump the under route if they read the quarterback's eyes. Against Cover 3, the corner defender will often bail deep, so the flat and under combination becomes vulnerable to a hard closing corner blitz or a robber safety crashing down. Cover 0 and man blitz packages are the toughest matchup here since the rub from the bunch is negated by tight man coverage and extra rushers force a quick, forced throw.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense follows across the formation, which confirms man coverage before the snap.
Attack Cover 3 and Cover 1 shells by targeting the under route first since it settles in the natural void created by the bunch rub.
If the linebackers widen with the motion, hot route the running back to a quick flat or check him down as a safety valve against blitz.
Pair this play with Mtn Slot Hitch or Mtn Slot Cross in the same set to keep defenders guessing on bunch releases and rub route timing.
Best used on second and medium or third and short since the under route provides a quick, high percentage completion underneath sinking coverage.
