Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Mesh HB Sneak lines up out of Shotgun Bunch X Nasty with a mountain motion adjustment on the bunch receivers before the snap. Two receivers cross underneath at a shallow depth to create the classic mesh combo, sitting down in the traffic against man coverage while the third bunch receiver climbs vertically up the seam as a clear out route. The HB releases late out of the backfield on a sneak route to the flat/boundary side, giving the quarterback a layered progression from the mesh crossers underneath to the HB sneak as a checkdown against blitz or man coverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch for man coverage defenders trailing the mesh crossers, since they will get picked off at the mesh point and fall behind the route. If the defense shows two high safeties before the snap, expect zone drops underneath that can squeeze the mesh window, so be ready to check to the HB Sneak. User controlled linebackers sitting low in the mesh area can jump the crossing routes, so track the mesh traffic closely if you are spying underneath. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge open up the HB Sneak release as the primary answer since the backfield release comes late and undetected. Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with deep zone defenders can undercut the vertical seam clear out route, forcing the quarterback to work the mesh and HB Sneak combo instead.
Usage Tips
Use the mountain motion pre-snap to identify man versus zone by watching if a defender follows the motion man across the formation.
Key on the mesh crossers first since the natural pick action at the mesh point creates instant separation against man coverage defenders trailing from behind.
Save the HB Sneak release as your answer against blitz heavy defenses since it gives the QB a quick outlet before pressure arrives off the edge.
Pair this play with Mtn Mesh Cross or Mesh Spot in the same set to keep the defense guessing on which route breaks off the mesh action.
Run this on third and short to medium since the mesh concept combined with the HB sneak gives multiple answers against both blitzes and off man coverage.
