Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Lead Draw Shot sells the HB Lead Draw fake out of I Form Pro before releasing receivers on deep shot routes down the field. The offensive line and fullback show run blocking to freeze the linebackers and safeties, buying time for the vertical routes to develop against a compromised secondary. This is a play-action shot play designed to attack single-high and man coverage shells, with the primary read progressing from the deep outside shot route to the backside seam or post if the initial window is closed.
Defensive Reads
Read the middle linebacker depth at the snap. If he steps up hard to fill the draw run fit, that is your green light that the play action has fully sold and the deep route behind him should be open. Identify single-high safety rotation before the snap. Cover 1 and Cover 3 shells with the free safety split deep are the primary coverages this shot play is designed to exploit. Watch for a user-controlled safety staying home instead of biting on the run fake. If the human defender does not flinch on the play action, expect him to jump the deep shot route and you should look to your secondary read instead. Key the cornerback technique on the outside. Press man alignment paired with a single-high safety is the ideal matchup for the shot route to win one-on-one down the sideline or seam. Recognize disguised zone blitz pressure with defensive backs dropping into the shot route landmarks. If the corner sinks into a deep zone drop rather than mirroring the receiver in man, bail out to the checkdown or throw it away.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage so the play action fake actually threatens the defense and freezes run fits.
Check the pre-snap safety alignment before the snap. If you see a single-high shell with the strong safety creeping into the box, that confirms the linebackers will bite on the draw fake and open up the shot route.
Use your play action window fully by holding the fake animation out with the fullback before resetting your eyes downfield, since rushing the throw negates the entire purpose of the fake.
Hot route your underneath crosser into a shallow drag or spot route if you diagnose zone coverage, since the deep shot concept struggles against a two-high shell that keeps both safeties deep.
Pair this shot play with HB Lead Draw and PA Draw Shot in the same personnel and formation to keep the defense guessing between the actual run, the shot play, and other PA Lead Draw Shot calls, forcing linebackers to hesitate on every snap.
Avoid calling this against known Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells unless you have a hot route ready, since the deep shot concept needs a vacated deep half or single-high rotation to hit for a big play.
