Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Bunch Option lines up from a bunch look on the left with a single receiver flexed to the right in Shotgun Tight Doubles. The bunch releases with the outside receiver running a deep corner, the tight end sitting down on an option route in the shallow flat area, and the inside bunch man clearing to the flat, while the backside receiver runs a deep dig across the middle. The primary read starts with the option route out of the bunch for a quick access throw, then progresses to the backside dig if the underneath area is clogged, and finally to the deep corner as a shot play against soft coverage, making this a versatile man and zone beater built off option route leverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender or slot corner assigned to the bunch, since a hard outside jump signals man coverage and opens the option route inside Key the deep safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety leaves the corner route on an island against man coverage Look for zone drops from the linebackers underneath the option route, a soft cushion or sink into the flat area shuts down the quick option throw Identify Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells by tracking the outside corner's depth, since a deep drop invites the dig route to settle in the void Watch for user blitzers timing up the snap count from the slot or edge, since a delayed option route release can get the quarterback hit before the read develops
Usage Tips
Check for man coverage pre-snap by looking at the corner aligned tight on the bunch, since the option route can break inside or outside based on that leverage
Use motion or a quick presnap read of the flat defender to decide whether the option route sits or breaks out, then get the ball out fast before the pocket collapses
Attack single high safety shells with the deep corner route on the outside receiver when you see two man corners and no help over the top
Pair this play with HB Quick Base or Curl earlier in a series to set up the defense expecting quick underneath throws, then hit the corner route for explosive yardage
Best called on third and medium or early down passing situations where the option route can pick up a first down on its own against zone drops
