Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Y Angle out of Shotgun Y Off Trips Wk sends the backside X on a deep vertical release while the trips side runs a stack of routes into a shallow drag. The Y (TE) runs the signature angle route out of the backfield area, releasing outside then breaking hard back inside underneath the linebackers, while the near trips receiver cuts across the field on a shallow drag and the flat receiver runs an out to the sideline. The angle route on the Y is the primary read because it isolates a linebacker in space and creates a natural pick against man coverage, with the deep drag as the first checkdown and the backside vertical as the home run shot if the safety bites underneath.
Defensive Reads
Check the linebacker depth before the snap, since shallow backers get picked apart by the Y angle route almost every time in man coverage. Identify single high versus two high safety shells, because Cover 3 and Cover 1 leave the middle of the field vulnerable to the angle and drag combo. Watch for a spying or blitzing linebacker, since if he crashes downhill the angle route will find the vacated void immediately. User the middle linebacker or nickel defender to jump the angle route if you suspect the play, but respect the deep vertical shot on the backside if you overcommit underneath. Zone defenses with disciplined underneath drops and a deep half safety can take away both the angle route and the drag, forcing the quarterback into the vertical shot against tight coverage.
Usage Tips
Look for the Y angle route to attack linebackers in man coverage since it is nearly impossible for a backer to stay attached through the breakpoint.
Use pre-snap motion to identify if the defense shifts to man or stays zone, since the angle route loses value against zone unless you find the soft spot underneath.
Hot route the shallow drag receiver into a deeper crosser if you diagnose a hard zone shell to stretch the underneath defenders horizontally.
Pair this play with Mtn Y Cross and Mtn PA Portland in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the angle concept and the crossing routes off similar formation looks.
Call this on third and short to medium distance since the angle route and drag combo consistently pick up positive yardage against blitzes and man coverage.
