Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Slot Flags is a route combo out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex 11 personnel that stretches the field vertically and horizontally on one side. The outside receiver runs a deep flag route to the corner while the slot receiver on the same side runs a deep out breaking away from the flag to create a natural high low flood. On the backside, both receivers run deep comeback style routes breaking back toward the quarterback, giving a built in outlet away from the flood. The running back releases out of the backfield on a wheel route up the sideline, adding a third layer to the flood concept underneath the flag and out. This is a man beater concept designed to win on levels and leverage, with the flag and out combo overloading a cornerback or safety while the wheel occupies underneath defenders and linebackers in coverage. The primary read progression starts with the flag route on top, works down to the deep out underneath it, and checks the wheel route as the final option before working back to the backside comebacks.
Defensive Reads
Identify the cornerback alignment on the flag side pre-snap, since press man leaves him vulnerable to getting beat over the top on the flag. Key the safety rotation after the snap, since a single high safety rotating late to the flag side signals Cover 3 and opens up the deep out underneath. Watch the flat defender or nickel corner reaction to the running back wheel route, since aggressive flat defenders who jump the flat get burned up the sideline. User the deep half safety or corner on the flag route if playing zone coverage, since that route is the primary vertical shot and must be accounted for first. Beware of Cover 2 shells with a hard corner squeezing the flat, since that alignment can undercut the deep out route and force the quarterback to hold the ball longer.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone coverage before the snap, since this concept punishes man defenders who cannot pass off the flood on the flag side.
Look for single high safety shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since the flag route can climb over the top of a cornerback playing outside leverage.
If the defense shows Cover 2 or Cover 4 with two deep safeties, prioritize the deep out route underneath the flag since it settles in the intermediate hole between zone defenders.
Check the running back wheel route against linebackers who bite on play action or crash toward the flat, since this is a big play window versus aggressive underneath defenders.
Pair this play with Mtn HB Cross Screen or RPO Peek Slant earlier in a drive to condition the defense to sit on short routes, then hit Mtn Slot Flags for an explosive shot play when they bite up.
