Playbooks
Mtn HB Base is a mountain concept out of the Shotgun Wing Slot Offset WK set that stacks vertical stems on one side to stress deep zone defenders while giving the quarterback a quick underneath answer through the HB out of the backfield. The two TE personnel (12 grouping) allows for extra protection or an extra release option, making this a solid man beater against off coverage and a zone beater versus single high shells thanks to the layered vertical stack. Primary read progression starts with the mountain stack read (deep to intermediate), then works down to the HB check down release if the underneath window is clogged.
Read the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sinks deep into a zone drop the HB check down becomes the easy answer underneath. Watch for Cover 3 buzz or Tampa 2 shells, the deep middle defender rotating late can undercut the top of the mountain stack, so be ready to work the intermediate break instead. Identify man coverage by checking if the slot corner or nickel presses at the line, if he opens his hips early to run with the stack you have a clean win versus man beaters. Diagnose blitz packages by counting the box, if the defense brings a nano blitz off the edge the extra TE protection in this 12 personnel look should hold up, but get the ball out on the HB release quickly. Cover 4 or quarters shells with disciplined safeties can shut this down since the vertical stack gets bracketed, in that case check down immediately to the HB rather than forcing the throw downfield.
Check the pre-snap safety alignment first, if you see two high safeties rotate late this concept can still hit the intermediate window before the rotation settles.
Use motion on the HB or slot TE to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows the motion man you have a green light to attack with the mountain stack.
Hot route the underneath TE into a quick out or flat route if you diagnose a Cover 2 shell, this gives you an easy sideline outlet against the corner sitting on the flat.
Pair this play with Bounce Inside Zone Lt or HB Draw earlier in a series to get linebackers creeping up, then come back to Mtn HB Base to expose vacated intermediate zones.
Best called on second and medium to third and long situations where the defense is more likely to play zone shells rather than committing to man pressure.