Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
Mtn Spot out of Shotgun Double Wing shows a pre-snap motion man crossing the formation before the snap, which helps identify man versus zone coverage based on how the defense reacts. Post-snap, the outside receiver runs a deep corner route stretching the sideline vertically while the inside receiver works a return route that settles into the flat/intermediate area underneath. This is a Cover 3 beater built off the classic Spot concept, using the flat route to hold underneath defenders while the corner route attacks the deep third behind them, with the primary read starting on the flat/return route and progressing to the corner if the deep defender bites.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender or curl to flat player, since Cover 3 defenders who sink too deep or widen too far create the throwing window for both the flat and corner routes. Key the free safety alignment pre-snap, because a single deep safety confirms Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which are vulnerable to the deep corner route if the corner defender loses depth. Check linebacker reaction to the pre-snap motion, since defenders who mirror the motion man across the formation indicate man coverage, which changes your read to a rub or pick opportunity on the crossing action. Diagnose late safety rotation after the snap, since a delayed rotation to the deep third leaves the corner route open against soft zone drops. Beware of Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties, since the corner route runs into help over the top and the defense can squeeze the flat route with underneath zone leverage.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to bait linebackers and safeties into showing their hand before the ball is snapped, since a defender running with the motion man reveals man coverage while a defender staying put or shuffling confirms zone.
Against Cover 3, read the flat/return route first since it settles into the void underneath the deep third, then progress to the corner route if the cornerback sinks too deep or the safety rotates late.
This play punishes single-high shells and Cover 3 sink concepts, so save it for third and medium or second and long situations where defenses are more likely to play zone.
Pair Mtn Spot with Mtn PA Slide in your play-calling sequence since the run action tag on PA Slide sets up defenders to bite on run fakes, making the Spot corner route even more explosive later in a series.
If the defense shows two-high shells, hot route the corner route into a deep out or use your user defender to bait a lurking linebacker before throwing the flat route quickly to avoid a sack.
