Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 11 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Return Levels comes out of Shotgun Trips TE with pre-snap motion returning a receiver back toward the formation, creating a return motion look that can distort zone landmarks before the snap. The route concept is a classic Levels design: the outside trips receiver runs a deep corner/go up the sideline, the middle trips receiver runs an intermediate in-breaking route at roughly 12-15 yards, and the inside slot runs a shorter in-breaking route underneath, stacking three horizontal stems at different depths on the same side. The backside X (or motioned receiver) runs a shallow drag/return route across the formation to serve as a checkdown or hi-lo read against zone drops. This is a zone beater built around vertical stretching a single flat/curl defender, with the primary read progression working from the deepest corner route to the intermediate level route to the underneath drag, reading the flat defender's depth to decide which level is open.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and corner leverage on the trips side since true two-high shells with soft corners invite the levels combo to sit down in the intermediate zone windows. Post-snap, key the flat or curl defender's initial drop: if he widens to the corner route the intermediate in-breaker opens immediately, and if he sits on the intermediate route the drag underneath becomes the answer. Watch for a user-controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow crossing lane, since a smart user player can jump the drag route and bait a quick throw into a pick six. This play struggles against man press coverage with no safety help over the top on the corner route, since the deep route can get squeezed and the levels underneath become easier to carry in man. Look for Cover 3 buzz or Tampa 2 rotations where the middle linebacker robs the intermediate level route, which forces the quarterback to trust the drag or the deep corner instead.
Usage Tips
Use the return motion pre-snap to identify man versus zone: if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you are likely facing man coverage, and if he stays put you are reading zone.
Against Cover 2 or Cover 3 shells, work the levels concept high to low starting with the corner route to hold the deep safety, then work down to the intermediate in-breaker sitting in the hole between zone defenders.
Hot route the shallow drag into a spot or option route versus aggressive Cover 3 sky looks so your quarterback has a quick answer against a fast flat defender.
Pair this play with Mtn Bench and PA Boot Shot in the same set so defenders start keying levels concepts and cannot sit on the intermediate in-breaker without opening up shot plays off similar formation motion.
Best called on second and medium to long or third and medium since the levels combo needs a few seconds to develop and the underneath drag gives a checkdown against pressure.
