Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn PA Counter is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset that sells the counter run fake before attacking deep. The diagram shows three vertical routes: both outside receivers run go routes up the sideline while the middle receiver breaks off a deep post from the slot, giving the quarterback a three-level shot combo off the play-action counter fake. The flat route underneath is more of a check valve on the counter fake side, and the primary read progression goes post first, then work to the boundary go route depending on the safety rotation.
Defensive Reads
Key the safety depth pre-snap, if he creeps down to respect the counter fake you have a green light on the post route. Watch for linebackers stepping up on the fake, that hesitation is the window the post attacks over the middle. Cover 3 and single high man coverage are the shells this play beats because the post splits the safety and the corner on the throwing side. Two high shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4 shut this down quickly since the safety can sit on the post, so be ready to check into a shorter completion. Post snap, watch for a user controlled safety flying over the top to jump the post read, that is your cue to look off and go to the far side go route instead.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in a run-heavy sequence after you have shown counter multiple times to sell the fake and freeze linebackers.
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safeties, this play is built to attack single high shells because the post has room to work behind the safety.
If the defense shows two high, hot route the post into a deep dig or work the go route to the numbers where the corner has less help.
Pair this with Mtn Inside Zone and HB Sweep earlier in a drive so the counter action holds linebackers and opens the post window.
Snap it on second and short or first and ten when defenses are more likely to bite on the run fake and load the box.
