Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Switch Flood is run from Shotgun Empty Base Flex with 11 personnel and empties the backfield to spread five receivers across the field. To the flood side (right in the diagram) you get a three level stretch with a deep out breaking corner route, an intermediate out sitting underneath, and a flat route from the inside receiver, classic flood concept designed to overload one half of the field. On the backside a switch release sends one receiver on a deep vertical seam while the other clears out on a corner breaking route to hold the backside defender. This is a pass play built as a Cover 3 beater, attacking the flooded sideline with three stacked levels that force a single deep third defender to choose. The primary read progression starts with the deep flood route, works down to the intermediate out, and finishes at the flat if the corner and underneath defenders both stay deep.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the number of deep safeties. A single high safety tells you Cover 3 or Cover 1 is likely, which is exactly what this flood concept is designed to punish. Watch the flat defender at the snap. If he sinks with the deep out instead of staying disciplined in the flat, the underneath flat route becomes an easy completion for the offense. Key the deep third defender on the flood side. If he commits to the corner route, the intermediate out sitting behind him is open in the void. This concept struggles against Cover 4 or quarters shells since the extra deep defender can help wall off both the corner and the vertical seam, so if you see two deep safeties rotating late, expect the quarterback to check down quickly. Man coverage with underneath help, like Cover 1 with a robber, takes away the backside switch vertical, forcing the quarterback back to the flood side where a disciplined linebacker in the flat can jump the shorter routes.
Usage Tips
Call this on third and medium to third and long when you expect single high or Cover 3 shells since the flood side stacks three defenders vertically with no help underneath.
Check the deep safety alignment before the snap. If he shades to the flood side, work the backside switch vertical instead since the corner route occupies the deep defender and opens a throwing lane behind him.
Use the flat route as your answer against Cover 2 or Tampa 2 looks because the underdneath defender in those shells usually widens late to the deep out, leaving the flat uncovered.
Pair this play with Mtn Switch Verts in your call sheet since both plays start from the same empty look, forcing the defense to respect the vertical shot before you come back to the flood sideline.
Motion the flanker before the snap to identify man versus zone. If the defender follows across the formation you are in man coverage and should lean on the flat and out combination rather than trying to squeeze the corner route.
