Playbooks
Mtn Fk Rub is a rub route concept out of Shotgun Doubles Stack Clamp designed to spring a receiver open against man coverage using a natural pick at the stack. The stacked receivers execute a rub concept where the underneath route runs across the face of the defender covering the shallow crosser, freeing him for an easy pitch and catch while the outside routes occupy the defensive backs deep. This is primarily a man beater, and the primary read progression starts with the rub route out of the stack, then works to the underneath crosser or flat option if the rub gets picked off by a jam, before checking down to the backside for the checkdown against zone.
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense shows two deep safeties or a single high safety, since the rub concept is most effective against man coverage with a single high safety rotating late. Watch for corners playing outside shade on the stacked receivers, which signals man coverage and opens up the natural pick created by the stack alignment. Post-snap, key the underneath linebacker or nickel defender assigned to the rub route, if he fights through the pick quickly and stays in phase, be ready to move to the checkdown. Beware of zone blitzes or Cover 3 sky looks where defenders sink into throwing lanes, since the rub route loses its natural advantage when defenders are not in man technique. If you see a user controlled defender sitting in a lurk spot near the stack pre-snap, expect a jump on the rub route, so have your alert receiver or checkdown ready as your true first read instead.
Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as corners lined up tight on the stacked receivers with no safety help rotating over the top.
Motion the stacked receiver slightly before the snap if allowed to confirm man coverage through defender shadowing.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or slant if you diagnose zone coverage, since the rub concept loses value against zone drops.
Pair this play with Mtn Rub Smash or Mtn Shuffle Mesh Rail in the same set to keep the defense guessing between rub concepts and smash combos out of the same personnel and formation look.
Use this on early down and manageable distance situations, third and short to third and medium, where defenses are more likely to sit in man coverage rather than deep zone shells.