Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn PA Deep Flood is a play-action flood concept out of Singleback Wing Pair Heavy 12 personnel that builds a three level flood to the play side. Off the run fake, the outside receiver clears vertically on a deep go, the tight end from the wing runs a corner route into the flat behind him, and the backside receiver crosses over the middle on a deep dig while the remaining tight end checks down to the flat underneath, creating a clean high low low read across the same third of the field. This is a Cover 3 beater by design, using the vertical stretch to pull the deep third defender and the flat defender in opposite directions, and the primary read progresses from the deep go to the corner route sitting behind it and down to the flat if the defense sinks its coverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a single high safety pre-snap, that alignment tells you Cover 3 is likely and this flood concept will stress the deep third corner and the underneath flat defender simultaneously. If the corner opens his hips and runs with the deep go route, the throwing window for the corner route sitting underneath should open immediately, so read the cornerback's leverage first. Linebacker depth at the snap matters, if the linebackers step up hard on the play-action fake they will vacate the flat and dig lanes, giving you an easy completion underneath. Beware of a user controlled defender sitting in a lurk spot over the middle, since the deep dig route crossing from the backside is vulnerable to a jumped throw if the user reads the flood concept and drops into that window. Two high safety shells and Cover 4 match schemes are the primary counters to this play, since they can double the deep go route and leave extra help on the corner route, shutting down the top of the flood.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety with squatting corners is your green light for this Cover 3 beater. Sell the play-action fake by holding the run action button or manually pump the fake if your version of Madden allows it, since linebackers biting on the run open up the deep dig and flat throws. Use the deep go as a clear out route to occupy the deep third corner and work your eyes to the corner route sitting in the void behind it as your first real read. Pair this with Mtn Power O or 26 Duo earlier in a series so the defense respects the run fake, then dial up Mtn PA Deep Flood on second and medium or third and short when linebackers are flowing hard to stop the run. If the defense shows two high safeties pre-snap, consider motioning or checking to Mtn PA X Zig Flood or Y Stick instead since the flood concept loses value against soft Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells.
