Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Comebacks runs a play-action fake out of Full House 21 personnel, holding the linebackers with the run fake before the quarterback works the outside comeback routes. Both outside receivers push vertically upfield then break back downhill to the sideline at roughly ten to twelve yards, while the two backs run shallow drag routes across the middle underneath (one to each side) as a checkdown layer. The tight end runs a quick out to the flat, and the near back adds a short flare underneath the drag traffic, giving the quarterback a clear high low read from the comeback down to the shallow crossers.
Defensive Reads
Check safety depth before the snap, if both safeties sit deep in a two high shell the comeback has room to work against off man or zone corners. Watch the flow of the linebackers after the play-action fake, if they bite hard downhill on the run fake the shallow drags and flares will be wide open underneath. Man coverage corners playing tight press are the biggest threat to this play since the comeback route requires separation created by the double move nature of vertical then break. Cover 3 with a hard charging strong safety or slot blitz can disrupt the timing of the play-action fake and force a quick checkdown to the flare or drag. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the deep third or flying to the comeback route, since the break point of this route is predictable and can be jumped by a disciplined zone defender reading the quarterback's eyes.
Usage Tips
Sell the play-action fake fully before looking to the comebacks, the pump of the run action is what creates the window against aggressive linebackers.
Use this on second or third and medium when defenses are keying on early down run action out of Full House personnel.
If you see two high safeties pre-snap, target the comeback on the side where the corner is playing off or soft, since that route is built to attack cushion.
Hot route the backside drag into a deeper crosser or a shallow cross if you are facing zone heavy shells, this adds a layer that manipulates the flow of linebackers away from the primary comeback read.
Pair this play with HB Sweep or Power O from the same Full House set to keep the defense honest on early downs, then hit PA Comebacks once linebackers start flowing hard on run fakes.
