Playbooks
Mtn Slot Fades is a man beater built around a mountain point (fade stack) concept out of the trips side with pre-snap motion to help identify man versus zone coverage. The outside fades work as one on one win routes against off man corners, while the slot fade attacks the seam and the backside X runs an isolated route against single coverage. Primary read progression starts with the motion defender's reaction to confirm man coverage, then works to the boundary fade first, working back to the trips side slot fade if the corner opens his hips late or if you get a favorable one on one matchup on the numbers.
Check safety alignment before the snap, two high shells with safeties outside the hashes signal zone coverage that will squeeze the fade throwing lanes Watch the corner's press technique, off man alignment with outside leverage is a green light for the fade since the corner is already beaten on the release Track the motion defender closely, if a linebacker or safety runs with the motion man across the formation that confirms man coverage and opens up the one on one fade matchups Look for a lurking safety rotating late over the trips side, a robber or cover 3 rotation can undercut the slot fade if the quarterback stares it down too long Beware disguised cover 2 or match zone shells that show single high pre-snap then rotate to two deep after the snap, this rotation is the primary defensive answer that shuts down the fade concept
Use the pre-snap motion across the formation to bait the defense into showing man coverage, if a defender follows the motion man you have a green light to work your fade matchups with confidence
This play is best used in the red zone or on the boundary near the sideline where the fade route naturally has less field to defend and the throw window shrinks in your favor
Against press man corners, user the slot receiver running the inside fade and throw a back shoulder ball on the sideline route to prevent the corner from playing through the catch point
Pair this play with Mtn Drag Sluggo and Mtn Triple Slants earlier in a drive so the defense respects the quick game out of this same trips look, making them more susceptible to biting on play action or underneath routes before you dial up the fades
Avoid calling this against two deep safety shells unless you have a clear size or speed advantage on the outside, since the fades lose value versus proper zone leverage from cover 2 or cover 4 corners