Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Middle | Swing |
| WR3 | Left | Option Route |
| WR1 | Left | Streak |
| WR2 | Left | Speed Out |
| TE1 | Right | Deep Post |
Mtn Slot Option is a route option concept out of Singleback Trips Close that puts the slot receiver on a read route, breaking based on the leverage and depth of the nearest defender. The three-man trips side stresses zone defenders horizontally while the option route gives a built-in man beater against off coverage or a natural pick against zone drops. Primary read starts with the option receiver: if he sits down against zone or breaks away against man, work him first, then progress to the outside vertical or dig for a secondary window.
Pre-snap, check safety alignment: a single high safety usually means Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which the option route can exploit if the slot defender bites on the initial stem. Watch the slot cornerback's depth at the snap, if he sinks quickly into a zone drop the option route should settle underneath for an easy pitch and catch. Post-snap, respect user-controlled linebackers who might lurk into the option route's window, be ready to check down or reset your progression if you see a defender sitting on that route. This concept struggles against disguised Cover 6 or Cover 2 Man where the slot defender plays tight man technique with safety help over the top, limiting the option route's separation. Against nano blitzes or aggressive man press packages, get the ball out on the option route quickly before the pocket collapses since protection is not built for a long developing scramble drill.
Pre-snap, identify whether the slot defender is playing inside or outside leverage since that dictates which way the option route will break.
Against man coverage look for the option route to break away from the defender's leverage for an easy completion, especially on third and short.
Against zone shells, particularly Cover 3 or Cover 4, expect the option route to sit down in the void underneath the deep defenders and hot route the outside receiver to a shorter zone beater like a curl if the corner is playing deep.
Pair this play with Stick or Slants from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick option routes and traditional zone beaters, forcing linebackers to widen their drops.
Use Mtn Slot Option on early downs to bait aggressive user linebackers into jumping the option route, then punish them later with PA Flood or Corner Double In out of the same formation.