Playbooks
Mtn PA Switch Sail
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn PA Switch Sail is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Split Twins Offset that uses a switch release concept on the boundary paired with a sail route to the flat. Off the play fake, the two receivers on the left cross at the snap before pushing vertical, creating a natural pick against man coverage while stacking the deep third against zone. On the right side, the tight end runs a deep sail/corner route while the backside back releases to the flat as a checkdown, giving you a high low read on any flat defender. Read the switch release first for a leverage win versus man, then work to the sail route as your zone beater against Cover 2 or Cover 3 rotation.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender on the sail side, if he sits on the underneath route the deep sail behind him is your window against Cover 2. Identify whether the linebackers bite on the play fake, since a disciplined defense that stays home on the run action can get depth quickly and take away the sail throw. Look for a corner playing outside leverage on the switch release side, that leverage combined with the natural pick at the crossing point is what springs the vertical routes open against man coverage. Beware of a Cover 3 sky safety rotating hard to the flat, that rotation can jump the sail route if the quarterback holds the ball too long. This concept struggles against zone blitzes with a spy, since the extra underneath defender can sit in the passing lanes and take away both the flat and the sail read simultaneously.
Usage Tips
Check safety depth before the snap, if you see two high safeties sitting deep this play's sail route is designed to stretch the Cover 2 corner vertically so throw with anticipation before he can recover. Against single high looks, key on whether the corner presses the switch release receivers, since the natural pick at the crossing point should spring one of them open on the vertical against man coverage. Use the play fake to hold linebackers and freeze any spy or blitzer, which buys extra time for the deep routes to develop, so this works best on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage where defenses respect the run. Hot route the backside flat back into a quick out if you see a blitz look, since he becomes your emergency valve against pressure. Pair this with Mtn Slot Cross or Mtn X Spot from the same set to keep the defense guessing between crossing concepts and switch releases, and mix in Triple Option Lt or Inside Zone Lt to sell the run action and make the play-action fake more believable.
