Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Shock Y-Option lines up out of Shotgun Doubles Z Close with 11 personnel and shows a four-receiver route concept with no true blocking read since every eligible receiver releases into a route. The two receivers to the left run outside breaking routes at a shallow depth, working from the numbers back toward the hash to sit in the void underneath zone coverage, while the slot receiver just outside the box runs a vertical stem that clears the middle linebacker level. On the right side the flat runs an option route out of the backfield alignment area, sitting down or breaking to the corner based on the leverage of the flat defender, and the outside receiver on that side runs a deep vertical route up the numbers to stretch the safety over the top. This is a zone beater built on high low stress: the Y-Option route on the right is the primary read, with the quarterback reading the flat defender first before working to the vertical shot and the underneath crossers as checkdowns.
Defensive Reads
As the defense, key the option route runner immediately at the snap since his release and stem tell you whether he is breaking in or out, and jump the shorter break with your flat or hook defender if you diagnose it early. Bracket the vertical route on the right with a deep safety if you suspect this play, since that route is designed to hold a single high defender and open everything underneath. Watch for the two shallow crossers on the left, they are designed to work away from man coverage leverage, so use pattern match or man coverage with inside leverage from your linebackers to stay on top of those breaks. Blitzing off the right edge can disrupt the timing needed for the option route read, but leaves the underneath crossers open if you send extra rushers without proper zone drop replacement. Cover 2 with a hard corner squeezing the flat area takes away the option route conversion and forces the quarterback into a tighter window on the vertical or a checkdown against a leverage defender.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify whether the defense is showing two high safeties or single high, since the option route on the right thrives against zone shells where the flat defender has to choose between the option route and the flat.
If you see man coverage with a linebacker or safety matched on the option route runner, hot route that receiver to a quicker option or settle route to win with separation before the defender reads the break.
Use the deep vertical on the right as a clear out against cover 3 or cover 4 to force the corner to carry it, opening the option route and the underneath crossers behind him.
This play hits best on second and medium or third and short to medium since the option route conversion point matches typical sticks distance.
Pair this play with Y-Sail or Z Crosser from the same set so defenders see similar route distribution shallow and get conditioned to sit, then punish that tendency with the option route breaking away from leverage.
