Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Drag Sluggo runs from Shotgun Trips X Nasty with 11 personnel, using motion out of the backfield before the snap. The backside X receiver runs a sluggo (slant and go), the inside trips receiver runs a deep corner/post breaking route off a vertical stem, the middle trips receiver runs a drag underneath, and the man in motion releases on a shallow crossing route from the backfield. This is a man beater built to attack off man leverage with the sluggo and corner route stacking the deep middle while the drag and shallow cross give you built-in outlets underneath if the safety help shows up top. Primary read progression is sluggo first for the big play shot, then the deep corner route, and finally check down to the drag or shallow cross underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check both safeties: two high safeties with the corners playing tight outside leverage is your green light to attack with the sluggo since deep half coverage often bites on the slant portion of the route. If you see man coverage with a single high safety, respect the middle of the field defender since he can rob the sluggo or the corner route if the quarterback hesitates. Watch the linebacker responsible for the drag and shallow cross combination, since a linebacker sitting flat footed in a zone drop will jump both underneath routes and take away the easy check down. Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells, this play is much tougher to complete because the flat and curl defenders can sink under the drag while the deep third or deep quarter defender stays over the top of the sluggo, so consider audibling to a zone beater instead. A user controlled defender lurking in the shallow crossing route lane is the biggest post snap red flag, since he can jump the drag or shallow cross throw and turn it into a pick six if you are not decisive with the ball.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone: if the defender follows the motion man across the formation, you are getting man coverage and the sluggo and corner route both have a strong chance to win.
Take your shot on the sluggo first against a cornerback playing outside leverage, since the slant fake should get the corner to bite before the receiver breaks vertical.
If the deep safety rotates over the top to help on the sluggo, come off it immediately and go to the deep corner route running away from that same safety.
Save this play for second and long or third and medium situations where the defense is more likely to sit in man coverage looking to force a quick throw.
Pair this with Mtn Spot Y Corner or Mtn Stick Wheel earlier in the drive so defenders start jumping the underneath routes, then hit them with the sluggo shot off the same shell look.
