Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn PA HB Swing is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset that sells the run fake before releasing the HB out into a swing route to the flat. The diagram shows the HB sliding out laterally into the boundary as the lone route shown, with the offensive line holding up on play-action protection to sell the run threat. This is a play-action screen style flow to the flat designed to attack overpursuing linebackers and get the HB in space against man or zone coverage, with the swing route as the clear primary read.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is stacked in the box expecting run, which increases the effectiveness of the play-action fake and opens the flat for the HB. Key the flow of the linebackers after the snap, since aggressive run fits leave the swing route wide open with no underneath defender in the throwing lane. Watch for a user-controlled defender spying the backfield or sitting on flat routes, as this can jump the swing route and turn it into a turnover. Cover 3 and Cover 1 with linebackers biting on run action are the most vulnerable to this concept. Zone schemes with disciplined linebackers who stay in their drops or teams that blitz off the edge can shut this down quickly since the HB has minimal blocking help on the perimeter.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in obvious run down and distance situations where linebackers are keying run flow off the play-action fake.
Watch for aggressive linebackers who crash downhill on the run fake, since the swing route to the flat exploits that vacated space immediately.
Pair this with Mtn Zone WK or HB Sweep earlier in a drive so the defense respects the run action, making the play-action fake here far more effective.
If the defense shows blitz pre-snap, get the ball out to the HB swing quickly since it doubles as a built-in blitz beater.
Combine this with Mtn RPO Peek Swing or Mtn RPO Swing QB Draw in your play-calling script to keep defenders guessing between run, RPO, and play-action looks off similar formation and motion.
