Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Shallow HB Angle lines up in Shotgun Spread Y-Flex with 11 personnel and shows a shallow crossing concept paired with an HB angle route out of the backfield. The two outside receivers on the left run a deep crosser and a shallow drag underneath it, while the slot receiver on the right runs a deep cross opposite the shallow, and the HB releases on an angle route to the flat/middle against the man defender. This is a man beater built around the HB angle route creating natural rub separation, with the shallow drag as the underneath zone beater checkdown. Primary progression starts with the HB angle route against a linebacker mismatch, then works to the shallow drag crossing underneath, and finally to the deep crossers if the middle of the field opens up.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth and alignment over the HB before the snap, a linebacker walked up tight to the backfield is vulnerable to the angle route's lateral quickness. Man coverage with no safety help over the middle is the biggest liability against this concept since both the angle route and shallow drag get instant separation. Zone shells with a linebacker sitting in the shallow hook zone can jump the drag route and force the quarterback to hold the ball longer. A lurking safety or a user controlled defender sitting in the middle of the field can undercut the deep crossers, so avoid throwing into that window if you see a safety cheating down. Disguised blitzes that bring extra rushers off the edge or through the A gap can collapse the pocket before the angle route develops, so quick game recognition and getting the ball out on time is essential.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if a linebacker or safety is aligned over the HB, since the angle route is designed to exploit that matchup with a quick change of direction. Motion the HB before the snap if available to confirm man coverage, a defender following the motion signals man and green lights the angle route as your first read. Against zone shells, skip straight to the shallow drag which sits underneath the linebackers for an easy completion and positive yardage. Use this play on early downs or third and short since the angle route and shallow drag are high percentage, low risk throws that keep you on schedule. Pair this call with Mtn HB Cross Screen or Mtn FL Screen from the same set so the defense has to respect the quick game and cannot sit on the shallow crossers every snap.
