Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Slot Choice out of Shotgun Tight Y Off is a five man route concept with man motion built to attack both man and zone coverage. The outside receiver runs a deep go up the sideline while the TE runs a deep dig across the middle, creating a natural clear out for the choice route underneath. The slot receiver runs the choice route off the line with option to break in or out based on the defender's leverage, and the motion back releases out of the backfield on a wheel route to the flat and up the sideline, giving the quarterback a five level progression from the choice route to the flat wheel and up to the deep shots. The primary read is the choice route first, then the wheel route in the flat, working toward the deep dig and go route against zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage defenses struggle with the choice route since it reads the defender's hip in real time, so look for the slot corner overcommitting to one side before the break. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with deep zone drops are vulnerable to the wheel route out of motion, since most linebackers do not carry the back vertically past the flat. If the defense shows two deep safeties pre snap and rotates hard to the choice side, expect the QB to work the deep dig from the TE against the vacated middle. Watch for a linebacker spy or a delayed blitz off the motion side, this can collapse the pocket before the choice route develops on shorter down and distance. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the shallow zone near the choice route are the biggest threat, if they jump the route early counter with the deep go or dig instead.
Usage Tips
Pre snap, motion the back and watch if a defender follows him across the formation, that confirms man coverage and tells you the wheel route will likely win late.
If the defense shows a two high shell, key the safety rotation after the snap, if he stays deep the choice route should sit down in the soft spot for an easy completion.
Use the choice route as your first read on third and short to medium since the receiver can settle or break away from underneath defenders in real time.
Pair this play with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Alert Bubble earlier in a series so the defense respects quick game and opens up the wheel route and deep dig against overcommitted linebackers.
Hot route the deep go to a comeback against press corners who are playing off leverage, this keeps the sideline shot alive without needing a full field carry.
