Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 16 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn PA Deep X Over is a play-action shot play out of Singleback Bunch X Nasty with 11 personnel. Off the play fake, the X receiver runs a deep over route across the field, the backside receiver clears vertically up the sideline, the slot runs an intermediate cross underneath the over, and the flat back releases from the backfield into a short check down route while the offensive line sells the run fake. This is a man beater built to hit the deep over on a natural pick from the bunch, with the primary read progression starting on the deep over route (X), moving to the vertical clear-out for a shot play if the safety bites on the fake, and checking down to the flat route underneath if the deep options are covered.
Defensive Reads
Key the safety rotation immediately after the snap since a hard bite on the run fake signals man coverage underneath and opens the deep over for a big gain. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up to fill run gaps the deep over route will have a clean throwing lane behind them. Identify Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells pre-snap since the vertical clear-out route on the backside can occupy a deep defender and simplify the over route read against zone drops. Beware of user-controlled defenders lurking in the shallow to intermediate crossing lanes, since a heads up user can jump the deep over route if he sits and reads the quarterback. Watch for disguised blitzes off the edge since the play-action drop takes extra time, and pressure off the corner can force an early or inaccurate throw before the over route develops.
Usage Tips
Use motion pre-snap to identify if the defense is playing man or zone based on whether a defender follows the motion man across the formation.
Look for single-high safety shells before the snap since the play-action fake is more likely to hold linebackers and the safety, opening up the deep over route.
Hot route the flat back into a quicker option against blitz-heavy looks so you have an immediate answer if the pass rush wins early.
Pair this play with Mtn X Whip or PA Boot Corner Post in the same set to keep defenders guessing between shallow whip routes and deep shot plays off similar formation motion.
Best called on second and medium to second and long when defenses respect the run and are more susceptible to biting on the play-action fake.
