Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Clearout out of the I Form Wing set opens with play-action to hold the linebackers, then sends three routes to clear out the coverage for an underneath crosser. The backside receiver runs a deep clearout route up the sideline while the TE on that side runs a corner breaking route, dragging the deep defenders away from the middle of the field. On the play side, the outside receiver runs a vertical seam up the numbers while the wing player runs a shallow drag underneath, crossing the formation as the clearout route to the checkdown. The primary read progression starts with the vertical seam route on the play side, moves to the drag crossing underneath if the seam is capped, and finishes with the checkdown or scramble drill if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the safety depth and leverage. A two high shell with safeties sitting shallow signals they are ready to jump the play side seam route, so bait the quarterback to the crosser instead. Watch the play side linebacker's initial step after the snap. If he steps up hard on the run fake, the vertical seam and drag combo will have a clean throwing lane behind him. User the deep half defender on the play side as your primary lurk threat, since he is the only defender with a real shot to undercut the seam route before it stretches vertically. Against Cover 3, the corner responsible for the deep third on the backside can be baited by the clearout route, but if he sits and reads the quarterback's eyes he can jump the shallow drag as it crosses his zone. Man coverage with underneath linebackers spying the run fake is the biggest threat here. If a defender stays home instead of biting the play action, he can trail the drag route and cut off the easy completion.
Usage Tips
Use PA Clearout on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when you have already established the run game with HB Lead or HB Inside Zone from this set, since the play action freezes linebackers who are keying run fits.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap. Against two high shells, the vertical seam route on the play side has room to work behind the underneath zone defenders before the safety can rotate over.
Against single high looks (Cover 3 or Cover 1), prioritize the shallow drag crossing route since the deep clearout route on the backside should occupy the free safety and open a driving lane underneath.
Hot route the shallow drag to a quicker settle or spot route if you are facing a Cover 2 Man look, since the natural rub from the clearout can get you open faster against man coverage.
Pair this play with HB Lead or Close HB Lead earlier in a series to sell the run fake, then call PA Clearout to punish linebackers who bite on the play action.
