Playbooks
Breakdown
PA Mtn Spider Y Leak is a play-action shot play out of Singleback Deuce Close with 12 personnel that uses a mountain (Mtn) run fake to hold the linebackers before releasing the Y (tight end) on a leak route underneath. Off the play-action mesh, the diagram shows a deep crosser sitting from the backside working all the way across the field, a corner route pushing vertically to the opposite numbers, and the leaking tight end sneaking to the flat before angling upfield. The flat route on the right rounds out the concept, giving you a leak, deep cross, corner and flat combo designed to attack zone defenders who bite on the run fake, with the primary read starting on the Y leak in the flat before working to the deep cross if the linebackers stay disciplined.
Defensive Reads
Key the linebackers immediately after the snap: if they crash hard on the run fake, the Y leak route will be wide open underneath for an easy pitch and catch. Watch the flat defender and corner on the play side, since a defender sitting in the flat can jump the leak route if he reads play action quickly. Check safety depth pre snap: a single high safety shell leaves the deep cross vulnerable to a lurking defender if he reads the quarterback's eyes. Man coverage with no underneath help is the most exploitable shell here, since the leak and flat routes create natural picks and separation against man defenders trailing from depth. Disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers at depth and do not bite on the run fake take away the leak read and force the quarterback to hold the ball longer, so watch for teams that stay patient against play action.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake with a slight pause before releasing so the Y leak actually gets defenders to step up before he escapes to the flat.
Use this on early downs or in run heavy personnel situations because the 12 personnel grouping disguises the pass intent and sets up defenses expecting Mtn Duo or HB Stretch out of the same set.
Check the flat and leak matchup pre snap against linebacker depth: if the second level defenders are sitting shallow or blitzing, the leak route will be wide open in the void behind them.
Against zone shells, work the deep cross as your second read since it clears out underneath zone defenders and settles into space vacated by linebackers biting on the play fake.
Pair this call with Mtn Duo or HB Wham earlier in a series so the defense commits to stopping the run, then hit them with this shot play to punish overaggressive linebacker fits.
