Playbooks

Mtn Corndog Trail

Singleback·Wing Close·12

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Mtn Corndog Trail is a play-action man beater out of Singleback Wing Close with 12 personnel that leans on trail and drag concepts to attack linebackers who bite on the run fake. The tight end release from the wing and the trail route underneath create a natural pick against man coverage while the backside receiver runs off deep coverage to open a window. Primary read starts with the trail route working underneath, then progresses to the intermediate crosser if a linebacker sits in the throwing lane, and finally to the backside vertical as a shot alternative if the safety cheats down to help on the run fake.

Defensive Reads

Read the middle linebacker first, if he steps up hard on the run fake the trail route sits in soft grass immediately for an easy completion. Check for man coverage indicators pre snap like tight cornerback alignment on the outside receivers, this play thrives against man because of the natural pick created by the trail concept. Watch for a sim blitz or delayed pressure off the edge, since the play action drop takes an extra beat and a well timed blitz can collapse the pocket before the trail route develops. Identify two high safety shells before the snap, if the defense stays two high post snap the deep shot option is likely covered so stay disciplined and work the underneath trail and crosser instead. Look for a user controlled linebacker spying the trail route, if he sits and reads the quarterback's eyes instead of biting on the fake this play loses its main advantage and you should move to your checkdown.

Usage Tips

Sell the run fake with a smooth play action press or the ball gets out too fast and the defense sits on the pass, so use this on early downs after establishing HB Dive or Duo out of the same personnel to keep linebackers honest.

Check the middle linebacker depth pre snap, if he is stacked over the box expect him to bite on the fake and the trail route will be wide open in the void behind him.

Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out if you see press man on the boundary, this gives you a built in answer without changing personnel or tipping the play.

Pair this call with Mtn Corndog Mesh and Mtn Corndog Toss to build a mini series off the same formation look, forcing the defense to respect run, mesh, and trail all from identical alignment.

Best used on second and medium or first down when defenses are more likely to load the box, since the play action element loses value once the defense is in obvious pass shells.

Other Plays in Wing Close