Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Slot Fades is a four man read pass concept out of Shotgun Doubles Y Off Nasty that isolates the outside receiver on a vertical fade while stacking the underneath zones with crossers. The backside runs a deep dig sitting behind a shallow drag, while the boundary receiver releases into a fade up the sideline off a quick out and up stem from the flat, and the running back runs a check release swing route to the flat for an outlet. This is primarily a man beater built to win on a back shoulder or jump ball fade against single high looks, with the deep dig and drag combo giving you a zone beater answer if the corner sits on the fade. Primary read progression starts with the fade one on one matchup, works to the deep dig if the safety rotates over the top, and dumps to the check release swing as the last resort.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check the corner depth over the boundary receiver, a tight press alignment signals man coverage and a live fade shot, while a soft cushion suggests zone or bracket help is coming. Watch the free safety alignment before the snap, one high safety in the middle of the field opens up the fade one on one, two high safeties means the fade will be defended by a corner with safety help over the top. Post-snap, key the corner's hip turn on the fade release, if he opens up and runs with the receiver in man technique you have a small throwing window on the sideline, if he sits and reads the quarterback he is likely playing zone and baiting the throw. Look for user controlled defenders dropping into the deep dig lane or sinking under the drag route, since a smart user will lurk that intermediate window and take away the second read. Blitz packages that bring extra pressure off the edge can disrupt the timing of the fade route before it develops, so a quick pre-snap protection check or motion to identify the blitz is important against aggressive nano blitz calls.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if you are getting single high (Cover 1 or Cover 3) versus two deep safeties, since the fade route lives on beating a corner with no safety help over the top.
Look for man coverage indicators like a corner lined up tight on the outside receiver with inside shade, then take a shot on the fade with a back shoulder throw placement.
If you see two high safeties or Cover 4 quarters, hot route the fade to a comeback or peek the deep dig sooner since the corner will have safety help on the vertical.
Use this play on shorter to medium yardage downs, third and short or first down, as a shot play call rather than a money down staple since it is a low percentage but high reward throw.
Pair this call with Double Post or X Dagger from the same set to keep the defense honest, then dial up Mtn Slot Fades once you have shown enough intermediate route concepts to bait the safety into playing tighter to the underneath routes.
