The Singleback Normal Slot Mountain (also known as Slot Cross in other playbooks) is a great play even without making any changes to it. However, when you are able to combine routes from other formations you can really turn this play into a monster. In this example, SportsGamer is going you how to create mismatches all over the field when using this play. Continue reading below to see exactly how it works.
Singleback Normal - Slot Mountain (Also known as Slot Cross)
Console(s)
XBOX / PS2
Playbook
The Slot Mountain play can only be found in the Tampa Bay playbook. However, the Slot Cross can be found in multiple playbooks.
Quick Setup
Step 1 - Come out in the Weak-I Twin WR Slants using the Dual HB package.
Step 2 - Run any play once.
Step 3 - Call no huddle to get your offense back up to the line of scrimmage.
Step 4 - Audible to the Singleback Normal Slot Mountain.
Step 5 - Steal the running back routes form the WR Slants play (XBOX - Y + up, the Y + up again / PS2 - Triangle + up, the Triangle + up again).
Step 6 - Formation shift to the Singleback Tight formation.
Step 6 - Smart route the fullback's route to make it unbumpable.
Step 7 - Motion the receiver on the far left side of the field over to the right.
Step 8 - (optional) Hot route the receiver on the far right side of the field to perform a more direct streak route.
Play Breakdown
Figure 1 - The first change that we make is placing the Singleback Normal Slot Mountain in our audibles.
Figure 2 - Next, we cycle through the formations until we get to the Weak-I Twin WR formation. Once we get to this formation, then we cycle through the packages until we get to the Dual HB package in order to be able to place both of our fast running backs on the field.
Figure 3 - The play that we call out of the huddle in is the Weak-I Twin WR Slants. The reason that we want to call this play out of the huddle is because we intend on stealing both running backs routes eventually.
Figure 4 - In order to steal both running back routes you first need to run any play. In this example, we have used the quick audible down to switch to a basic running play.
Figure 5 - Miami Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper hands the ball off to running back Ronnie Brown.
Figure 6 - We run off tackle with Brown to get into the open field. .
Figure 7 - We make a quick cut back to the inside with Brown as a defender apporaches from our left.
Figure 8 - As soon as the first play that we called has ended we immediately call for no-huddle to get our players back up to the line quickly.
Figure 9 - Again, you can see that after the no-huddle has been called we are back to our original Weak-I Twin WR Slants play. The call for no-huddle now allows us to steal both running back routes after audibling.
Figure 10 - We take the next step by audibling to the Singleback Slot Mountain play that we placed in our audibles before the game began.
Figure 11 - Next, we press (XBOX - Y + up, the Y + up again / PS2 - Triangle + up, the Triangle + up again) to steal the running back routes. Notice that both the (L1) and (R1) receiver's are now running the routes provided in our original Weak-I Twin WR Slants play that we called out of the huddle .
Figure 12 - After stealing the routes, then we formation up to get to the Singleback Tight formation.
Figure 13 - Once we've made it to the Singleback Tight formation we smart route the (L1) running back's route on the left side of the field to make it unbumpable. Also, we hot route wide receiver Chris Chamber's route to make it more of a direct streak route.
Figure 14 - The last step we take is motioning wide receiver Marty Booker across the field to create more opportunities for our offense. There's no reason to keep Booker on the left side of the field because he will only make the area more crowded around your receiver running the unbumpable route. We are now ready to begin the play. If you know that you are going to throw to the receiver running the unbumpable route before the snap, then we would recommend placing the cone on this player to get rid of the football quicker.
Figure 15 - As Culpepper drops back to pass all the receivers begin getting bumped except for our receiver on the left side of the field.
Figure 16 - We take about a 2-3 yard drop in the pocket and make a lob pass to allow our target to run underneath the ball. You can expect to get more separation from the defender when placing even more speed at this position on the field.
Figure 17 - Our receiver tracks the ball as it lobs over the head of the defense.
Figure 18 - Our receiver hauls in the pass with plenty of room near the sideline.
Figure 19 - This time we are setting up the play the exact same way, but we are going to look to hit one of our four other options.
Figure 20 - Running back Ronnie Brown heads to the flats on the right side of the field as the play begins. This will be your first read when looking to hit a receiver on the right side of the field.
Figure 21 - Brown clearly has his defeder beat as he runs wide open in the flats. The speed of your running back, combined with the overload of receivers on the right side of the field, make it extremely difficult for any defender to guard this route. On most occasions, even if the defender is quick enough, our running back will still beat him to the flats because he will have to fight through so much traffic to get there in time.
Figure 22 - We pass up the open running back to showcase the other three remaining options. If you'll look in the upper right hand portion of this image you can see wide receiver Marty Booker beginning to make his break towards the side line on his corner route.
Figure 23 - Booker remains open as we wind up with Culpepper to fire a bullet to the open target.
Figure 24 - We click on Booker and prepare to make the catch manually. You don't always have to make the catch manually when throwing this pass. However, there's no question that you will be able to fight for the ball better when it's in the air if you have good stick.
Figure 24 - We box out the defender to make the catch deep downfield with Booker.
Figure 25 - If there are no other open targets on the field, then look to dump the ball off underneath to your tight end running the delayed blue route for an easy first down.
Final Thoughts
Stealing routes and bringing them into the Slot Mountain play can certainly help your production. However, running the play as it is shown from the Singleback Tight formation is also an extremely effective way to utilize your passing options. What's also great about this formation is the fact that you can add the HB Slam in and force your opponent to worry about the run as well. Unfortunately, this is a tip that can only be practiced in game mode because you must run no-huddle in order to steal all the routes. If you want to head into practice mode first, then we would suggest trying the play out a few times without stealing the routes to see what kind of results you get.
