Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
Mtn Empty DBL Unders is an empty backfield concept out of Y Off Trips Close that motions the boundary receiver into a bunch look before the snap. Post-snap, the two inside trips receivers run crossing under routes over the middle while the outside trips receiver climbs to a deep corner, and the backside single receiver clears vertically on a go route to hold the safety, creating a natural high-low and horizontal stretch. This is primarily a man beater because the double under crossers create natural rub and separation against man leverage, though the deep shots on both sides also punish single high zone shells. The primary read progression starts with the shallow under crosser working man coverage leverage, then works to the deep corner route if the defense rotates zone or if a linebacker fails to carry the crosser downfield.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment, a single high safety pre-snap indicates man or cover 3 and opens up the deep corner route against a cornerback with no help over the top. Watch how the defense reacts to the pre-snap motion, if a defender travels with the motion man it confirms man coverage and the under crossers become the priority read. Post-snap, identify if linebackers carry the crossing routes or pass them off in a zone match scheme, hesitation from linebackers on the crossers signals a window to hit the shallow under route. Cover 2 shells with corners playing flat zones can undercut the under routes, so be ready to climb the ladder to the deep corner route if the flat defender squats on the crossing route. Watch for user-controlled defenders sitting in the middle of the field as a lurking robber, since the crossing routes cut directly through that zone and a well timed user jump can result in a turnover.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you know you are getting man coverage and can key on the under crossers immediately.
Against man coverage, work the shallow crosser first since the rub concept from the trips alignment creates natural separation against tight man defenders.
If the defense shows single high safety post-snap, look to the deep corner route on the trips side since the safety cannot help both hash marks.
Combine this play with Mtn Corners or Mtn HB Corner earlier in a drive so the defense respects the deep corner shot, then come back to Mtn Empty DBL Unders to hit the unders underneath when linebackers sink deep.
Best used on second or third and medium since the crossers need a full route stem to clear underneath zone defenders and man defenders trailing from the motion.
