Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Spacing Flat is a horizontal stretch concept out of Shotgun Tight Open 11 personnel designed to attack zone coverage with a three level read to one side. The backside receiver runs a shallow drag across the field while the two receivers to the strong side work an out and a corner route stacked vertically, with the flat defender getting stretched by the corner route breaking outside while the out route sits underneath. The tight end or slot runs a spacing route to the flat, giving the quarterback a quick outlet if the deep corner route is covered, and the primary read starts with the corner route to the flat to the shallow drag.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and corner alignment to determine if you are facing a two high or one high shell, since this concept is most vulnerable to aggressive man coverage with a jamming corner on the flat route. Post-snap, key the flat defender's reaction to the spacing route, if he sits and covers underneath, work the corner route behind him for a bigger gain. Watch for a user controlled linebacker dropping into a lurk position over the shallow drag, since that can bait the quarterback into a turnover if he tries to force that throw. Cover 2 with a hard flat defender and disciplined corner staying deep can shut this play down, so the shallow drag becomes the checkdown outlet in that situation. Blitz packages that leave a linebacker manned up on the drag or spacing route are prime opportunities to exploit with quick timing throws before pressure arrives.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify if the defense shifts into man or stays static in zone, since this concept is built to punish zone drops. Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, target the flat spacing route first because it sits in the soft spot underneath the deep zone defenders. Hot route the shallow drag into a deeper crosser if you see a linebacker sitting flat footed in the middle of the field. Pair this play with Mtn Curls Out N Up or Mtn Flood H-Choice in the same set to keep the defense guessing between horizontal stretches and vertical shots off similar formation looks. Best used on second and medium or third and short since the spacing concept gets the ball out quickly and picks up manageable yardage after the catch.
