Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA TE Leak from the I Form Wing set sells play action to the run side while the tight end leaks out to the flat as the underneath outlet. Off the fake, one receiver runs a deep out breaking to the sideline while the backside route works vertically up the seam, and a third route sits at intermediate depth cutting across the field, creating a three level stretch on the play side. The primary read progression starts with the TE leak against overpursuing linebackers, then works to the deep out, and finally to the crossing route if the defense sinks its underneath coverage, making this a play action man and zone beater depending on how the second level reacts to the fake.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth before the snap: linebackers sitting tight to the line are prone to biting on the play fake and leaving the TE leak wide open underneath. Identify single high safety looks, since Cover 1 and Cover 3 shells with aggressive run support are the most vulnerable to this concept. Track any user controlled linebacker flowing hard to the run fake, that lurk defender vacating the middle is exactly the throwing window this play is designed to create. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with disciplined linebackers who sink and stay square will take away both the leak and the deep out, forcing a checkdown or throwaway. Beware disguised blitzes off the edge since the play action drop takes an extra beat, if the defense brings a nano blitz through the TE side gap the quarterback needs to get the ball out fast on the leak read.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs when you have already established the HB Lead or HB Power O run game so linebackers bite on the play action fake.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap: single high shells with linebackers stacked tight are the best trigger for this call since the TE leak exploits aggressive run fits.
If you see man coverage on the TE, hot route him to a quick out to win immediately off the fake before the leak defender can wall him off.
Pair this with straight dropback passes like Curls or PA Boot Flow later in the series so defenders cannot key on run action versus pass action tendencies.
Use in second and short or first and ten situations where defenses are more willing to load the box, since that hesitation is what opens the leak route underneath.
