Playbooks
Mtn PA Verticals
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn PA Verticals is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Normal Y Off with 11 personnel that sells run action before sending four receivers vertical to stress the deep half of the field. Both outside receivers sprint straight up the numbers on go routes while the slot receiver runs a vertical with an inside release, and the Y (tight end) releases up the seam off the play fake to complete the four verticals look. This is a zone beater designed to attack Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells by overloading the deep zones, with the primary read starting on the seam route from the Y since it usually forces a conflict with the safety before working outside to the go routes.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety depth before the snap, if both safeties are shallow and biting on run action this play will beat them over the top. Watch for Cover 2 shells since the four verts concept is designed to split the two deep safeties and create a throwing window between them. Identify Cover 3 rotation post snap, if the single high safety cheats toward the seam route the outside go routes will be one on one with corners. Look for user linebackers dropping into the seam or spying the tight end release, a good lurk defender sitting on the seam route can bait an interception. Beware disguised zone blitzes since the play fake holds the quarterback in the pocket longer, an unblocked rusher off the edge can force a bad throw before the verticals develop.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in shot situations where you have already established the run game so the play fake actually holds linebackers and safeties.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, two high shells are prime targets since the seam route can split the safeties before they get depth.
If the defense shows single high Cover 3, hot route the slot receiver into a deep out or throw the backside go route into the boundary against a lone corner.
Pair this with Mtn HB Swing or Inside Zone earlier in a drive so the play fake actually influences second level defenders and opens the seam window.
Snap this on second and short or third and long after you have shown run tendencies from the same Normal Y Off set to keep the defense honest.
