Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Slot Fades is a trips-side pass concept out of Shotgun Trips X Nasty that uses pre-snap motion into the backfield to shift the numbers before the snap. Off the snap, the two inside trips receivers run a vertical fade stack combo up the seam and sideline while the outside trips receiver runs a shallow out to the flat, and the backfield motion man releases on a check release swing route into the void underneath. The blocking is a five man protection with the offensive line sliding to pick up the four man rush, making this a man beater designed to win on go routes and fades against isolated corners, with the primary read progressing from the outside fade first, then the inside seam fade, and finally the flat route and check release swing as the underneath outlet.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense adjusts to the backfield motion, a linebacker or safety following the motion man signals man coverage and opens up the fade routes. Key the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety means the corners are on an island and vulnerable to the fade routes up the sideline. Post-snap, watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the deep third or playing a lurk technique underneath the seam fade, that indicates a zone shell that can bait the quarterback into a pick. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties shut this play down hard since both fades run into help over the top, so check the flat route and swing route as safer outlets. Watch linebacker blitz timing off the edge, since protection is only five man, a delayed blitzer or nano blitz look can collapse the pocket before the fades develop.
Usage Tips
Motion the backfield player pre-snap to see if the defense shifts a linebacker or safety with him, that tells you if you are facing man or zone coverage.
Target the fade routes against single high safety looks where the corners are locked in press or trail technique with no deep help over the top.
If you see two high safeties, hot route the outside fade into a comeback or hitch to beat off coverage and avoid throwing into double coverage down the sideline.
Use this play on third and long or in red zone fade situations where you need a big chunk gain or a jump ball opportunity on a bigger receiver.
Pair this with Mtn Spot Y Corner or Mtn Slot Stick Nod from the same set to keep defenders guessing between vertical shots and quick game combos out of the same trips look.
