Playbooks

Mtn Z Spot

Shotgun·Split Slot Open·20
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Mtn Z Spot is a spot concept out of Shotgun Split Slot Open that combines a hitch, a short in, and a corner route into a classic pin combo designed to attack zone coverage underneath. The Z runs the spot route sitting down in the flat area while a fellow receiver clears out on the corner and a third option settles into the hole, giving the quarterback a high low read against zone drops. This is primarily a zone beater built for quick game timing, with the primary progression starting at the corner route to see if it stretches the cornerback vertically, then working down to the spot sitting underneath, and finally checking the flat as the outlet against pressure.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap, check safety depth and alignment to determine if you are looking at two high shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4, which tells you the corner route has room to work. Watch linebacker depth at the snap because sitting or shallow linebackers signal Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone drops, which opens up the spot route in the underneath void. If you see man coverage indicators like a slot corner mirroring pre snap motion, be ready to attack with the flat and spot combo since the natural rub can beat man beaters. Identify user controlled defenders lurking in the shallow zone since a jumped spot route throw into a lurk defender is the biggest risk on this concept. Watch for disguised blitzes off the edge or through the A gap since the quarterback needs to get through his progression quickly, and a delayed read against a well timed blitz can result in a sack.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs or third and short when you expect zone drops since the spot concept is built to sit in the soft spots of Cover 2 and Cover 3.

Pre snap, identify if the defense is showing a two high or single high shell because the corner route is your best shot against Cover 2 while the spot sits underneath Cover 3 zone defenders.

Hot route the underneath spot runner to a quick out if you see man coverage with no help over the top, since the natural pick action can still spring him free against man beaters.

Pair this call with Mtn Flood or Mtn HB Mid Screen in the same set to keep the defense guessing between horizontal stretch concepts and quick screens off similar formation looks.

Against blitz heavy tendencies, get the ball out fast to the spot route or use the flat as your check down since the quick game timing beats most nano blitz pressure before it arrives.

Other Plays in Split Slot Open