Playbooks

PA Clearout

I Form·Pro·21

Play Action Pass Play

Likely unavailable in the playbook builder

This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationI Form

SetPro

Personnel

212 RB · 1 TE · 2 WR

In 1 playbook

Franchise HS Run OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA Clearout is a play action shot play out of the I Form Pro 21 personnel set designed to clear out underneath zones and attack deep. The play fakes the HB dive or lead run to hold the linebackers and safeties, then releases a clearout route (typically a deep vertical or corner route) from one side to open up space underneath or on the other half of the field for a secondary receiver. This is primarily a man beater against aggressive single high looks, though it can pick apart certain zone shells if the clearout receiver draws a safety out of his zone drop. Primary read progression starts with the deep clearout route to see if a corner or safety bites on the run fake, then works down to the underneath crosser or flat option if the deep threat is covered.

Defensive Reads

Watch the strong side safety at the snap, if he steps up on the run fake instead of staying deep, the clearout route behind him is open for a big play. Identify Cover 3 or Cover 1 pre-snap by checking for a single deep safety and man corners pressed on the receivers, this shell is the primary weakness for this concept. Key the linebacker depth before the snap, linebackers sitting shallow in run support will vacate the middle of the field and open passing lanes for the checkdown route. If the defense shows two high safeties and they stay true to their zone drops after the play fake, the deep shot is likely covered and you should progress immediately to the underneath option. Beware of user controlled defenders spying the play action fake or sitting in a lurk technique in the shallow zone, since this can jump the checkdown route and blow up the secondary read.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short so the play action fake actually threatens the defense and linebackers bite on the run action.

Check pre-snap for single high safety looks like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since the clearout route is designed to exploit a defender who has to respect the run and the vertical threat at the same time.

Hot route the underneath checkdown to a drag or spot route if you diagnose Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells where the deep safeties stay home and take away the clearout window.

Pair this with HB Lead Draw or Lead Draw earlier in a series so the defense starts keying run fits, then dial up PA Clearout to punish linebackers who crash downhill on the fake.

Motion the FB or use max protect blocking to counter a nano blitz look before the snap, since this play needs time to develop the vertical shot downfield.