Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Y Option is a play-action style dropback pass out of Shotgun Deuce Close that isolates the Y (in-line TE) on an option route working from the middle of the formation, breaking either in or out based on the coverage he reads. The two outside receivers run vertical clear-out routes up the numbers to stretch the deep safeties and open the middle of the field, while the backside receiver runs a deep crosser under those verticals to occupy any zone defenders sitting in the intermediate area. The HB releases out to the flat on a check release route, giving you a built-in outlet against pressure. This is primarily a zone beater because the option route by the Y and the crossing route are designed to sit in the soft spots of a zone shell, but it also has man beater qualities if the Y wins his option leverage against a linebacker or safety in coverage. Primary read progression starts with the Y option route in the middle, then works to the HB in the flat if the underneath defenders squeeze the option, with the deep verticals as home run shots against single high looks.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment since a two high shell tips zone coverage underneath and invites the option route to settle in the void, while a single high look tells you the verticals could draw a double team and open up the HB in the flat. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they sink hard into the option route's window that is your cue to check down to the HB releasing to the flat. Key the flow of the underneath zone defenders, if you see a Cover 3 sky or Cover 4 rotation the outside verticals are likely to be capped, so the option route and flat route become your bread and butter. User a lurking linebacker or hook defender directly over the option route to jump the window early and bait the quarterback into a turnover. Disguised blitzes with delayed linebacker drops can shut this down fast since they collapse the option window before the Y can settle, so if you see pre-snap movement toward the box, be ready to protect and check the flat route as your answer.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when you want a low risk, high reward shot that still gives you a safety valve to the HB in the flat.
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two deep safeties or a single high shell, since the option route from the Y reads leverage from the nearest defender and works better against zone coverage that leaves soft spots underneath.
If you see man coverage with a linebacker matched on the Y, expect the option route to break away from his leverage, so user the near safety to close that window instead of dropping into a zone.
Pair this with Mtn Stick or RPO Read Mtn Stick out of the same set so the defense has to respect both the quick game and the intermediate option route, keeping linebackers honest and slowing down their run fits.
Mix in Mtn PA Slide or PA Deep Over as complementary shot plays from this formation so the defense cannot sit on the option route every snap.
