Playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Fades H-Choice lines up out of Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex with two receivers stacked on each side. Both outside receivers run vertical fade routes stemming to the sideline, while both inside slot receivers run choice routes that break outward with a quick jab step, giving them the option to sit or break vertical against the leverage of the defender. There is no run blocking shown, this is a pure dropback pass concept designed to isolate one on one matchups on the perimeter, making it a strong man beater against press or off man coverage. The primary read progression starts with the pre-snap coverage shell: if you see single high safety and press corners, work the backside fade for a back shoulder throw, otherwise check down to the choice route from either slot for a quick underneath completion.
Defensive Reads
Check for single high safety alignment pre-snap, this signals man coverage on the outside and opens up the fade for a jump ball or back shoulder throw Watch corner depth at the line, press corners are vulnerable to the fade release while off corners bait you into the choice route unless they sit on it Zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with two deep safeties shut down the fade unless you have a size mismatch, in these looks the choice route underneath is the higher percentage read Look for user controlled defenders jumping the choice route out of the slot, if the user commits underneath immediately throw off the fade route on the same side before the safety can rotate over Blitz packages with man coverage behind them leave the fades susceptible to press but also open, throw with anticipation before the pass rush closes the pocket since there is no protection help built into this route concept
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the corners are in press or off coverage, press alignment favors the fade route with a back shoulder throw while off coverage favors the choice route sitting down for the sticks
Use motion if available to confirm man versus zone before the snap, a defender following the motion man across the formation confirms man coverage and tells you to trust the fade one on one
Hot route the choice routes into a hard out or hitch against zone heavy defenses like Cover 3 or Cover 4 so the receiver settles into the open window instead of running into a defender
This play works best on second and medium to third and short since the choice route gives a reliable underneath conversion if the fade is not open
Pair this with Mtn Curls H-Sluggo or Four Verticals in your play calling sequence to condition the defense to respect vertical shots, then come back to Mtn Fades H-Choice to attack the same look with a quicker outlet
