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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Mtn PA Spinner is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Doubles Hip with 11 personnel. Off the run fake, the backside receiver runs a deep vertical while the play-side receiver stems into a deep dig that gets picked up by a mesh point handoff into a red route running a deep crosser from the opposite side, creating a natural rub against man coverage. The two underneath backs run checkdown flat routes to hold linebackers, and the primary read progression starts with the deep crossing route (red) working across the field before working back to the vertical and dig combo.
Defensive Reads
Read the linebacker depth immediately after the snap: if they bite hard on the run fake, the deep crosser and vertical will have wide throwing lanes. Watch for a deep half safety cheating toward the crossing route, since that indicates a Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell trying to take away the primary read. Identify man coverage by checking if corners turn their hips to run with receivers at the snap, which confirms this play's rub concept will create separation. Look for a lurking linebacker or nickel defender sitting in the shallow crossing lane, since a user-controlled defender there can jump the red route and bait a turnover. Beware disguised blitzes from the second level, since if the linebackers crash the mesh point instead of dropping, the quarterback needs to get the ball out fast to the flat routes.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when defenses expect run based on personnel and formation tendencies to sell the play-action fake harder.
Check the safety alignment before the snap: if you see two high safeties sitting deep, prioritize the deep crosser since it stresses the seams and exploits zone drop windows.
Against man coverage, trust the natural rub created by the crossing route and vertical stack to spring separation, especially against inside leverage corners.
Hot route the underneath backs into quick flats if you diagnose a blitz look, since they double as safety valves against pressure.
Pair this call with Mtn Spinner HB Inside or Inside Zone earlier in a series to get defenders flowing downhill before hitting them with this shot play off the same run action.
