Playbooks

Mtn Scissors

Shotgun·Normal Y Off·11
ScissorsMotionPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 4 Beater
Play diagram for Mtn Scissors from Shotgun Normal Y Off in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 4 playbooks

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Breakdown

Mtn Scissors is a Shotgun 11 personnel dropback pass out of the Normal Y Off set with pre-snap motion built into the play call. On the play side the TE and outside WR cross their vertical stems, the TE breaking outside deep while the outside WR crosses underneath into the void, creating the scissors crossing look that clears traffic for both defenders and forces a rub against man coverage. Backside, the isolated WR runs a comeback breaking route while the shallow crosser drags across the field underneath, giving the QB a check down option away from the scissors concept. The primary read starts with the scissors crossing routes to the play side, then works to the backside comeback route if the crossers are jumped, with the shallow drag serving as the outlet against pressure.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment, if you see two deep safeties with corners playing off you are likely facing Cover 2 or Cover 4, both of which this play is designed to attack through the middle void created by the scissors crossers. Watch the flat defender and slot corner reaction to the motion, if they trail the motion man across the formation that confirms man coverage and tells you the scissors rub will win quickly. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker or hook defender depth, if he sits shallow in the hole he can undercut the crossing routes, so the QB needs to read him before releasing the ball to the scissors concept. Beware disguised Cover 3 looks where the flat defender sinks under the crosser and jumps the shallow drag route, this coverage can bait a turnover if the QB does not progress to the backside comeback in time. Man coverage with an underneath blitzer or nano blitz look is the toughest test for this play since the crossers need time to develop, so identify blitz indicators like a linebacker creeping toward the line before the snap and be ready to hit the backside comeback quicker.

Usage Tips

Use motion pre-snap to identify man versus zone, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you know you are getting man coverage and the scissors crossing action becomes a high value man beater.

Attack Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells by working the scissors concept over the middle where the natural rub creates immediate separation against zone defenders sitting in the hole.

Hot route the backside comeback route into a deeper comeback or fade against teams that play a lot of Cover 3 to stress the flat defender who has to respect the drag underneath.

Pair this play with Mtn Curls or Mtn HB Swing on early downs to keep the defense guessing between horizontal stretch concepts and the vertical crossing action of Scissors.

Best called on second or third and medium when you need a reliable man beater that does not require a deep shot, since the scissors combo wins quickly against tight man coverage.

Other Plays in Normal Y Off