Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Pylon Sail is a play-action deep shot concept out of I Form Y Off Close with 21 personnel. Off the run fake, the outside receiver runs a corner route toward the pylon while the TE releases underneath on a sail route to the flat area at a shallower angle up the seam, and the backside receiver runs a drag or crossing route from the opposite side to hold linebackers and provide a checkdown. There is also a flat route developing on the far side for a quick outlet. This is a play-action pass designed as a Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater, attacking the deep outside corner of the field with the pylon route as the primary read while the sail route underneath serves as the secondary progression against zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Watch the deep safety alignment before the snap, since a single high safety in Cover 3 has to choose between the corner route and any vertical threat from the slot, creating the window this play is designed to hit. Cover 2 shells are vulnerable because the corner has to sink deep while the safety rotates over, leaving a soft spot right at the pylon if the corner route beats the jam. Watch for user-controlled safeties sitting on the sail route or lurking underneath the corner route, since a smart user defender can jump the throwing lane if the quarterback stares down the primary read too long. Aggressive Cover 1 or man blitz packages can disrupt the fake and get quick pressure before the corner route fully develops, so check for blitzing linebackers stacked near the line pre-snap. If the defense shows two deep safeties who stay disciplined and do not bite on the run fake, the underneath crosser and flat route become the higher percentage throws instead of forcing the deep corner ball.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or in second and short situations where linebackers bite hard on the play-action fake, since the run threat from I Form 21 personnel sells the boot action. Pre-snap, identify two high safeties or a single deep safety shell before the snap, since Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells are what this route combo is designed to exploit. If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, hot route the corner route runner to a fade or adjust to a quicker route since the deep pylon throw takes time to develop and man coverage can crowd the sideline. Combine this with HB Iso or HB Zone Toss earlier in a series to sell the run fake harder before coming back to PA Pylon Sail once linebackers start creeping up. Pair this call with PA Deep Read or Mtn PA Counter in your play-action package so defenses cannot key on formation tendencies out of Y Off Close.
