Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Ctr Shot is a play-action shot play out of the I Form Tight set designed to sell the center run fake before attacking the defense vertically. The fullback and offensive line execute run blocking steps toward the middle of the field, drawing linebackers and safeties up before the quarterback pulls and looks downfield. This is a man beater and shot play built to punish aggressive run defense and single high shells, with the primary read progression starting on the deep outside route and working to the intermediate crosser or seam as the checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Watch for safety depth at the snap, if a single high safety bites hard on the run fake it opens up the deep route working behind him. Key the linebackers, if they step up aggressively to fill run gaps you get a clean throwing lane over the middle for the crosser or seam route. Identify Cover 3 or Cover 1 shells before the snap since these are the most vulnerable to the shot concept because of the run fake pulling defenders down. Beware of Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with safeties staying deep, since they can sit on the shot route and turn it into a pick six if the quarterback forces it. Watch for blitz packages disguised as run fits, if extra defenders crash the line post snap you need a hot route or quick checkdown to avoid a sack or turnover.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs like first and ten or second and short so the run fake actually holds linebackers and safeties.
Check the defensive alignment pre-snap for stacked box fronts or safeties creeping down into the tackle box, since that signals they are respecting the run and will bite on the fake.
If you see two deep safeties or Cover 2 shells, hot route your inside receiver to a deep in or post to attack the seam between the safeties.
Pair this play with HB Power O, HB Iso, and FB Dive earlier in a drive so the defense commits to stopping the inside run game, making the shot play fully deadly later.
Use max protect or slide protection adjustments against heavy blitz teams since the play takes time to develop and the quarterback needs a clean pocket to hit the deep shot.
