Playbooks
H Mtn Four Verticals
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
H Mtn Four Verticals lines up out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex Wk in 11 personnel with a pre-snap motion man (the H) crossing the formation before the snap to help identify man versus zone coverage. At the snap all four eligible receivers push vertically: both outside receivers run straight seams up the numbers, the slot runs a deep post from the middle read (shown in red), and the motion man releases up the seam from the backfield. The offensive line stays in max protect with no blocking help from receivers, making this a true vertical stretch play designed to attack the deep middle and hash seams. The primary read progression starts with the post/seam read in the middle of the field, then works to the two outside verticals if the deep safety commits to the middle.
Defensive Reads
Watch the middle linebacker's depth at the snap, if he sinks deep into a deep third or deep half he is taking away the post read and forcing you outside. Identify single high versus two high safety looks before the snap, single high leaves the post route open behind the linebackers while two high forces you to work the outside seams. Key on the cornerbacks' press or off alignment, press man leaves them vulnerable to the vertical release while off coverage with outside leverage can squeeze the seam throws. This play struggles against Cover 4 or Cover 6 shells with two deep safeties splitting the field, since the extra deep defender can rob the post or double the seam. Look for a user-controlled defender sitting in the deep middle or lurking the seam, that is a lurk threat designed to jump the post route so be ready to check to the opposite seam.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to bait linebackers and safeties into showing their hand, if the defender follows the motion man it is likely man coverage and you should attack the post route immediately.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety means the four verts will stress the deep middle so target the post or seam that splits the safety's leverage.
Against two high safeties, hot route the outside verticals into comebacks or hitches if you see the corners playing soft to avoid overthrows into double coverage.
This play pairs well with Slot Outs or Quick Slants in the same set, run those first to get the linebackers and safeties creeping up before hitting Four Verticals for the explosive shot play.
Best called on early downs or obvious passing situations where defenses are more likely to play zone shells, giving your seam and post routes room to work against soft spots.
