Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Trail Fork is a bunch-based play-action style pass concept out of Shotgun Bunch Str Nasty (11 personnel) that uses a fork/pin combo on the backside and a trail route out of the bunch to attack space underneath. Pre-snap motion shifts the bunch, then the frontside receiver runs a corner route up top while the middle receiver forks off with a deep out breaking to the sideline, creating a natural high low stretch on that half of the field. The bunch receiver closest to the line runs a quick trail route underneath, giving the quarterback an immediate option versus a soft man look, while the fork and corner combo work as the primary zone beater against split safety shells. Primary progression is trail flare first for the quick throw, then the corner route as the deep shot, with the forked deep out as the late window versus zone rotation.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety alignment before the snap, since a single high safety indicates man coverage underneath which favors an immediate trail throw for a quick gain. Watch the corner over the bunch at the snap, if he sinks deep with the corner route without respecting the trail or fork routes, you are likely seeing zone coverage and should look to the fork's deep out. Key the flow of the linebacker assigned to the trail route, if he widens late trying to match the bunch release, that is a coverage rotation tell that opens the middle for a follow up play like Mtn Mesh Trail. Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting underneath the fork route, this is the primary threat that can jump the deep out and cause a turnover if you force the throw. This concept struggles against tight man coverage with an overlapping deep safety since the corner route has no natural leverage advantage, and it can be vulnerable to disguised blitzes that get quick pressure before the trail route develops.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, since the trail route defender's reaction to the motion tells you if you are getting man match or a zone shell.
Against man coverage, take the trail route immediately since it is designed to create instant separation off the bunch release, especially against off man or a matchup with a linebacker in coverage.
Against two high safety shells, work the fork route's deep out as your secondary progression since it settles into the void vacated by a rotating safety.
This play pairs well with Mtn Curls and Mtn China Wheel out of the same bunch look, since all three sell similar release paths before diverging, which keeps defenders honest and creates confusion on run fits and coverage rotation.
Best used on early downs or third and medium when you need a quick answer versus pressure but still want a shot play built in if the corner route defender bites on the trail action.
