Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn PA Flood is a play-action flood concept out of Shotgun Wing Tight Z that stacks three routes vertically on the same side to overload one zone of the field. Off the run fake, the inline receiver runs a shallow flat route, the slot runs a deep vertical clearing route, and the outside receiver breaks into a deep out or corner route at the top of the flood, creating a classic high low read against a Cover 3 shell. The offensive line shows play-action pass protection while the run fake sells the mountain (power run) look, and the primary progression works flat to deep out, using the vertical route to hold the deep defender before coming back down to the flood.
Defensive Reads
Read the deep third defender first, since if he sinks with the vertical clearing route it opens the deep out for an easy pitch and catch. Watch the flat defender's initial run fit, if he steps up hard on the play-action fake, the flat route will be wide open underneath. This concept struggles against Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells where two defenders can split the vertical and deep out routes, so check for two high safeties pre-snap as a warning sign. Look for a linebacker sitting in a hook zone who can undercut the flat route if the play-action fake does not sell, this is the main lurk threat that shuts the concept down. Man coverage with a deep half safety over the top can also erase the deep out route, so if you see man alignment on the outside receiver be ready to check down to the flat instead.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is playing man or zone before the snap, since the flat defender's reaction to motion tells you whether to expect a Cover 3 rotation or man match. This play is a true Cover 3 beater, so look for a single high safety and squatty corners as your green light. Hot route the flat route into a quick option if you see the defense sending extra pressure off the edge, since the play-action fake can get the quarterback in trouble against a hard edge blitz. Best called on early downs in run heavy personnel to keep linebackers honest and sell the mountain run fake, then sequence it with Mtn Inside Zone and Mtn Power Wk to keep defenders guessing between run and pass. Pair this with PA Flanker Curl on a follow-up call to attack underneath zones if the defense adjusts to the flood after seeing it once.
