Playbooks
At a Glance
Overview
Dbls Flex Y Off Close is a 2x2 Doubles look out of Shotgun using 11 personnel, with the Y tight end aligned off the line of scrimmage in a close flex position just outside the tackle. The other Doubles sets in Shotgun either put the TE on the ball as an inline blocker or split him wide as a pure receiver. This alignment keeps the Y in a hybrid H back role, so he can climb to the second level as a lead or wham blocker, or release clean into the flat and seam without having to fight a jam at the line. The two slot and outside receivers on each side give you balanced width, which forces defenses to declare their coverage shell before the snap.
The set is built around Mtn concepts (Mtn Dig Under, Mtn Angle Y Wheel, Mtn Dagger Y In, Mtn Switch Corner, Mtn Slot Post) that layer vertical and intermediate routes over the TE and RB underneath. The off ball Y is the key chess piece. Linebackers have to respect him as a blocker on Inside Zone, Mid Zone, and Counter Y, which opens windows behind them for Y Stick, Y-sail, and the Y In on Mtn Dagger Y In. The jet motion family (Zone Fake Jet 1, PA Zone Fk Jet 1, Jet Pass Fk Zone 1) adds horizontal stress and eye candy that pulls flat defenders and safeties out of position.
From a matchup standpoint, the close alignment lets you isolate the Y on a linebacker or strong safety in man coverage, especially on the Angle and Wheel concepts where he gets a free release. A 3DRB or Power HB gets full value here thanks to Mtn HB Out, Mtn HB Angle, Mtn HB Fade, Mtn HB Slot Screen, and HB Pump Draw, while an SLWR in the slot feasts on the Slot Post and Dig Under combos against off coverage and zone voids.
Strengths
- The off ball Y creates a legit run and pass conflict for linebackers, making Counter Y and Inside Zone set up Y Stick, Y-sail, and Mtn Dagger Y In in the same series
- Mtn Angle Y Wheel and Mtn HB Angle are elite man beaters, putting a 3DRB or athletic TE on a linebacker with a free release and plenty of room to break the angle
- Mtn Dagger Y In and Flood H Post attack Cover 3 and Cover 4 by stressing the curl and hook defenders with a clear out vertical and a deep dig behind the second level
- Jet motion plays like Zone Fake Jet 1 and PA Zone Fk Jet 1 move flat defenders and rotate safeties, tipping zone versus man before the snap while creating easy play action shots
- RPO Zone Peek Glance and Read Option give you built in answers to box counts, letting you punish light boxes on the ground and heavy boxes with the glance or peek throw
Weaknesses
- With only five linemen and the Y often releasing, overload blitzes off the edge and nano pressures from the boundary can reach the QB before Mtn deep concepts develop
- A user controlled linebacker sitting in the hook zone takes away Y Stick, Mtn Dig Under, and the Y In, forcing you to hold the ball on your primary reads
- Press man with a single high safety squeezes the 2x2 spacing, and without a trips stack or bunch there are fewer natural rubs to escape tight coverage
- The run game leans on zone and counter concepts, so defenses stacking the box with a spy on the QB can neutralize Read Option and force predictable second and long situations
- If your Y is a slow blocking TE, the set loses much of its passing threat and defenses can key his alignment as a run tell
Usage Tips
Count the box pre snap: six or fewer defenders means hand off on Inside Zone or Counter Y, while seven or more means go to RPO Zone Peek Glance or a Mtn pass concept
On 3rd and short, run Y Stick or Mtn HB Out and hot route the backside slot to a slant, giving you a quick man and zone beater combo on the same side
Use jet motion on Zone Fake Jet 1 to diagnose coverage; if a defender runs with the motion it is likely man, so check to Mtn Angle Y Wheel or Mtn Switch Corner
Against Cover 2 in the redzone, call Redzone Scissors or Mtn HB Fade and put the SLWR on a corner route to attack the hole between the flat and safety
When facing heavy blitz tendencies, audible to Mtn HB Slot Screen or HB Pump Draw to punish aggressive rushers, then block the RB or Y to buy time on your deep shots
