Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn HB Shovel is a run-pass option style shovel concept out of Shotgun Bunch X Nasty that uses pre-snap motion to shift the bunch look before the snap. At the snap the shovel pass goes to the HB working through the backfield behind a wall of blockers, while the three bunch receivers clear out the second and third levels with a corner route up the sideline, a deep crosser working back toward the middle, and an underneath drag/pivot from the point man. The primary read is the shovel throw to the HB as an extended run play with numbers at the line, and the deep corner and crosser serve as vertical clear outs that pull linebackers and safeties away from the box, making this a light box run beater rather than a true dropback pass concept.
Defensive Reads
Key the linebacker flow at the snap. If they crash hard on the shovel action without honoring the crosser or corner route, they are vulnerable to a play fake off this same look on a future call. Watch for a defender spying the motion man since the shovel concept relies on that blocker or route runner clearing space in the box. This play struggles against a hard edge crash from the defensive end or outside linebacker on the play side since the shovel lane depends on the blockers reaching the second level. Zone coverage that keeps a linebacker flat footed in the shovel lane will blow this play up quickly, especially cover 2 or cover 3 shells with disciplined run fits. User controlled defenders who key the backfield mesh point can jump the shovel throw, so avoid this call if the opposing user consistently spies the HB or sits low in a shallow zone.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone. If the defender follows the motion man across the formation you have a man beater matchup to exploit with the crosser or corner route as a check down option.
This play is designed to attack light boxes so use it on early downs or short yardage when the defense shows six or fewer in the box.
If the defense walks a safety down or shows blitz look, get the shovel out fast since the blocking wall is designed for immediate movement not for holding up against extra rushers.
Pair this with Mtn Outside Zone or Inside Zone in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect the same backfield action and cannot sit on the shovel keys.
Combine with Mtn HB Choice or Mtn Slot Middle from the same set since the bunch alignment and motion look identical, forcing the defense to guess between run action and dropback pass.
