Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn PA Switch is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Normal Y Off with 11 personnel. At the snap the QB fakes the handoff while the two outside receivers to the left run a switch release, crossing paths underneath before both climbing vertically into deep routes, creating natural traffic against man coverage. The remaining left slot receiver works a shallow drag underneath toward the opposite side, giving the QB a quick outlet if the deep switch concept is covered, while the backside receiver runs a deep comeback breaking back toward the sideline. This is a man beater built to exploit the pick action from the switch release, with the primary read progression starting on the switch verticals and working down to the drag as the checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage is where this play does the most damage since the switch release forces defenders to fight through natural traffic, so if you see press man or trail technique on the outside receivers before the snap, expect the switch verticals to be the target. Zone coverage, particularly a two deep shell with underneath zone defenders sitting in the throwing lanes, can take away the switch verticals and force the QB down to the drag route or comeback. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the play action fake it opens up throwing lanes over the middle for the drag route and confirms run fake success. As a defender, user a lurking linebacker or safety to sit in the passing lane between the switch release and the drag route to bait the QB into a turnover, since this route combo often has the QB working underneath after the initial fake. Disguised blitzes off the edge can disrupt this play before the switch routes fully develop, so if the defense shows pressure with late rotation to man coverage, expect the QB to be forced into a quick, contested throw.
Usage Tips
Use Mtn PA Switch on early downs (1st or 2nd and short to medium) when you have already established the run game from this formation, since the play action fake needs defenders biting downhill to open the switch release. Check pre snap for man coverage indicators like tight corner alignment on the outside receivers, since the switch release is designed to create natural rubs and separation against man defenders. If you see two high safeties sitting deep, hot route the drag route into a deeper in cut or use the comeback route as your primary since the switch verticals will be capped underneath. Pair this play with Mtn PA Read and Mtn PA Verticals in your call sheet so the defense cannot key on the run fake, and mix in Mtn HB Swing or Inside Zone from the same set to keep linebackers honest before dialing this shot play up. Against aggressive man blitz teams, get the ball out fast to the drag route since the switch release takes a moment to develop and you may not have time in the pocket if extra rushers get home.
