Playbooks

Mtn PA Counter Levels

Shotgun·Doubles Offset Wk·11
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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense Sharedcoach1Offense

Breakdown

Mtn PA Counter Levels is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Doubles Offset that sells a counter run fake before the QB works a levels concept on the backside. The offensive line and backfield action mimic the counter run scheme to hold linebackers and safeties, while the receivers stack in-breaking routes at different depths (a deep dig or crosser over a shallow curl or hitch) to attack zone drop conflicts and create natural rubs against man coverage. The primary read progression starts with the deep levels route to see if the play fake bit a linebacker or safety out of position, then works down to the underneath level route as the checkdown against sticky man coverage or a sunk safety.

Defensive Reads

Check safety depth pre-snap, if both safeties are shallow or rotating down into the box expect single high or robber coverage that leaves the levels concept vulnerable behind the linebackers. Watch linebacker alignment and gap responsibility before the snap, stacked or crashing linebackers are a sign the defense expects the counter run and will bite on the fake. Post-snap, track the flow of the middle and weak side linebackers, if they step up to fill run gaps the window for the deep levels throw opens immediately behind them. Identify any user-controlled defender lurking in the intermediate zone since a smart user linebacker sitting on the shallow route can jump the underneath throw and bait a turnover. This play struggles against disciplined zone drops like Tampa 2 or against defenses that stay home with linebackers in man coverage, since the fake does not manipulate defenders who ignore the run action entirely.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short to medium) when the defense has shown run support tendencies or is stacking the box against your Mtn run plays. Sell the fake by holding the play-action button through the counter step and let the run action fully develop before hitching up to throw, since a rushed fake tips off user linebackers. Look for linebackers flowing hard to the counter side pre-snap and post-snap, if they bite on the play fake the deep levels route will be wide open behind them. Pair this play with Mtn QB Blast and Buck Sweep Behind earlier in a drive to condition the defense to respect the counter run action, then hit them with this shot play once they start crashing downhill. Against two high safety shells, hot route the underneath route into a deeper crossing route to stress the intermediate zone since safeties will already be widened by the levels stack.

Other Plays in Doubles Offset Wk