Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Middle out of Full House Normal Wide is a play-action shot play built off a two back run fake to hold the linebackers and safeties. Both outside receivers run vertical seams up the numbers while the slot man on the strong side runs a delayed drag/cross that settles across the middle of the field, giving you a three level stretch from sideline to sideline. The primary read progression starts with the deep post side seam, works to the underneath crossing route sitting in the void behind the linebackers, then comes back to the far seam if the safety bites on the play fake.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, identify two high shells versus single high, this play is designed to punish single high looks where the deep safety has to choose a seam to help on. Watch linebacker depth before the snap, if they are sitting shallow expecting run they will be late getting depth on the crossing route, creating the biggest throwing window. Post snap, key the safety rotation, if the deep safety commits hard to one seam route throw opposite immediately before the corner can flip and run. Cover 3 defenses with a hard flowing linebacker crew get exposed by the middle drag, but Cover 2 with disciplined zone drops can squeeze that same route into a tight window. Beware of blitz packages disguised as run stopping fronts, if extra defenders crash the line pre snap you may need to check the crossing route as a quick answer since deep protection could break down fast.
Usage Tips
Sell the play fake by holding the ball low and letting the animation play out before scanning the field, this is critical against defenses that key run first from Full House personnel.
Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short when defenses are more likely to bite on the run action from a 21 personnel heavy formation.
If the defense shows single high pre snap, hot route the backside seam receiver into a post to attack the vacated middle of the field behind the safety.
Pair this with HB Slam or Power O earlier in a series so the defense starts respecting the run fake, then punish overaggressive linebacker flow with this shot play.
Watch for user controlled defenders sitting in the shallow crossing route lane, if you see a spy or lurking linebacker check down to the opposite seam instead of forcing the drag.
