Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RZ Mtn Spot lines up out of Shotgun Tight Open with 11 personnel and shows a pre-snap motion from the left slot receiver that crosses the formation into a stack look before the snap. Off the snap, both outside receivers push vertical up the numbers as clearout routes while the motioned receiver runs an underneath spot route to the flat, sitting down for the quick throw. This is a classic Spot concept and a proven Cover 3 beater, designed to attack the flat defender with the shallow spot route while the two verticals occupy the deep third defenders. The primary read starts with the spot route in the flat, then works to the vertical stems if the corner squats or drives underneath.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender or curl-flat player at the snap, if he sits on the spot route the verticals should have room to work behind him in Cover 3. Key the corner over the motioned receiver, aggressive jump on the spot route signals man coverage and opens up a option route conversion. Look for a robbing linebacker or lurking defender sitting under the spot route, this indicates a Cover 4 or match zone shell designed to take away the underneath read first. Check safety depth before the snap, two deep safeties suggest Cover 2 or Cover 4 which can bracket the outside verticals and force the ball down to the spot route only. Blitz packages that bring the flat defender on a corner blitz can be there instantly, so a hot route on the spot to a quick option or hitch protects against the extra rusher.
Usage Tips
Use the motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows across the formation you are getting man coverage and can hot route the spot into a quicker option route. In the redzone this play shines because the two verticals occupy the back of the endzone and force the flat defender to choose between the sit route and the seam. Throw the spot route quickly on a rhythm timing throw against Cover 3 shells since the flat defender cannot cover both the vertical and the underneath route. Pair this play with Mtn Curls Out N Up or Mtn Curls Outnup from the same set to keep defenders guessing between vertical clears and curl breaks off similar formation and motion. Save this call for third and short or goal line situations where the compressed field limits deep safety help over the top.
