Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Gos is a play-action shot play out of the I Form Pro 21 personnel set designed to hit deep down the field off run fakes. Off the play-action mesh point, both outside receivers push straight upfield on Go routes to stretch the cornerbacks vertically, while the slot or TE runs a deep dig that breaks back across the middle as a window against zone drops. The HB releases outside to the flat as a check down and outlet valve, and the backside X on the right runs a vertical route to occupy the far cornerback and hold the safety. This is a man beater shot play built to isolate cornerbacks on Go routes, with the dig serving as the zone beater answer if the shell stays soft. Primary read progression starts with the Go route to the play side if you see one on one coverage, then works to the dig sitting down in the middle, and checks down to the HB in the flat as the last resort.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify two high shells versus single high, since Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells give you cushion for the dig route while single high alignments open up one on one Go routes on the outside. Watch cornerback depth at the snap, if corners are playing tight man press without safety help over the top, this play is live for a big shot on the Go route. Post-snap, track the middle linebacker or nickel defender assigned to the dig, if he sits shallow and doesn't carry the route vertically, that window stays open for a big gain. Beware Cover 3 sky or match zone shells, since the deep third defenders can sink under the Go routes while a hook defender jumps the dig, taking away both primary reads. Key on blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the play design leaves the HB in the backfield late and a fast diagnosis of the pressure can force the checkdown early.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and long when the defense is more likely to play off coverage or shell up top, since play-action shots lose value against aggressive run blitz looks.
Sell the play fake by holding the ball on the fake handoff animation as long as possible before pulling to pass, this freezes linebackers and safeties for an extra tick.
Read the safety rotation before the snap, if you see a single high safety cheat toward the dig route, take the Go route on the opposite side against the deep half defender.
Pair this with HB Stretch Alert X Lookie or HB Blast Alert Z Lookie earlier in a series to sell run tendencies and get defenders flowing downhill before hitting PA Gos as the shot play.
Hot route the HB flat route into a block if you are getting pressure off the edge, since the HB stays in as a checkdown by default and can absorb an extra rusher instead.
