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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Mtn Curls Out N Up is a five man route concept out of Shotgun Tight Open (11 personnel) built to attack man coverage with a true out and up on the outside. The X receiver runs a shallow drag across the field, the slot runs a quick out that settles as a curl underneath, and the TE releases outside then breaks vertical off the out and up double move for the deep shot. Blocking is a standard five man pass protection with no extra help releasing, so this is a full route concept snap. Primary progression is TE out and up first for the big play, then the curl breaking off the out route as the intermediate window, with the drag underneath as the check down against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Watch corner alignment pre snap, since tight press man on the TE side is exactly what the out and up is designed to torch. Identify single high safety looks, because without a deep half defender the up route wins every time the corner bites on the out fake. If linebackers show blitz or walk up to the line, expect the drag route to be the answer, so user a defender to spy or rob that shallow crossing route. Against zone coverage, the curl sitting down in the void is the main conflict area, so a user linebacker or nickel defender sinking into that throwing lane can bait the quarterback into a mistake. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties take away the up route entirely, forcing the offense into the shorter curl and drag reads which are easier to close on with underneath zone drops.
Usage Tips
Look for single high shells pre snap since the out and up on the TE is designed to eat corners playing tight man with no safety help over the top.
Motion the backfield or use the drag as a hot read against blitz heavy fronts because the shallow crosser gets open fast when the protection breaks down.
Use this on second and long or third and medium when defenses are baiting a curl or out with an underneath jump, since the double move punishes aggressive corners.
Pair this with Mtn X Spot or Mtn Spot N Go earlier in a series so defenders start jumping the out route, then hit them with the up route for the explosive play.
If the coverage shows two high safeties, lean on the curl and drag combo instead of forcing the vertical shot, since the up route loses value against zone shells with deep help.
