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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Clearout is a play-action shot play out of the I Form Pro 21 personnel that uses the play fake to freeze linebackers before clearing out underneath zones with a vertical route to open up the intermediate middle of the field. The clearout receiver runs off the deep coverage while an underneath route sits in the vacated space, making this primarily a zone beater against Cover 3 and Cover 2 shells that rely on linebackers sinking into passing lanes. The primary read progression starts with the clearout route holding the safety over the top, then works down to the sit route or intermediate crosser that settles into the space the clearout receiver vacates.
Defensive Reads
Read the middle linebacker depth immediately after the snap, if he steps up hard on the play fake the underneath window opens for your intermediate read. Watch for two deep safeties staying home before the snap, this indicates the defense is playing pass first and the clearout route will not create the same separation against a soft Cover 4 or Cover 2 shell. Identify user controlled defenders sitting in a lurk position over the middle, since a smart user player can bait the play fake and jump the sit route if he recognizes the concept. Diagnose Cover 3 buzz or Cover 1 with a robber underneath, these shells are the biggest threat to this concept because the robber defender occupies the exact space the clearout route is trying to vacate. Look for blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge, since PA Clearout relies on time in the pocket from the play fake and an unblocked edge rusher can force a rushed or inaccurate throw before routes fully develop.
Usage Tips
Sell the play action by holding the snap button momentarily and watching linebacker flow before committing to your throw, since a hard bite on the fake is what actually opens the clearout window.
Use this on early downs like first and second and short to medium distance, since the play fake carries the highest threat level when defenses respect the run out of I Form 21 personnel.
Check safety depth pre snap, if you see two high safeties sitting at 10 to 12 yards this play struggles because the clearout route will not fully remove the deep defender from the throwing lane.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or drag if you diagnose man coverage pre snap, since the base concept is built to beat zone drops rather than tight man coverage.
Pair PA Clearout with HB Blast Alert Z Lookie and Inside Zone WK earlier in a series to establish run tendencies, then call this play once the defense starts creeping linebackers toward the line of scrimmage.
