Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 16 playbooks
Breakdown
SFT PA WR Options is a play-action shift concept out of I Form 21 personnel that sends the backside X on a deep vertical clear-out while the TE runs an option route breaking underneath into the middle of the field. The near slot/flanker runs a shallow drag/option to the boundary while the backside outlet runs a deep vertical up the numbers, giving the quarterback a stretch read from deep to short. The line executes play-action pass protection to sell the run fake before the quarterback works his progression, making this a zone beater built to attack underneath voids created by linebackers biting on the run fake, with the primary read starting on the TE option route in the middle before working out to the vertical shots on either side.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers stepping up hard on the play-action, if they bite the middle of the field opens up for the TE option route Identify single high safety looks pre-snap, this tells you the defense may be more willing to load the box and bite on the run fake, opening space underneath Man coverage on the TE at the snap is a strong indicator you should push the option route vertical instead of settling it Zone drops from the flanker's side defender show whether the shallow option route will have a soft spot to sit in Watch for a user lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone, this is the main threat to jumping the TE option route so look to the vertical routes if he sinks under it
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when defenses are keying run from I Form personnel and linebackers are sitting close to the line
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see two deep safeties sitting back you can trust the play fake to hold the linebackers just long enough to hit the TE option underneath
Hot route the TE option to sit down versus zone coverage or push it vertical if you diagnose man coverage after the motion
Pair this call with HB Iso or HB Zone Toss earlier in a series so the defense respects the run action and bites harder on the play-action fake
Against blitz-heavy defenses, get the ball out quickly to the option route since the play design relies on the fake holding defenders rather than deep protection
