Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Boot runs a play-action bootleg out of Maryland I with 12 personnel, rolling the QB toward the boot side after a run fake to sell the play fake to the defense. The near TE releases into a quick out to the flat, the far TE runs a corner-post breaking upfield off a flat stem, and the HB works a checkdown/flat route underneath to the opposite side as a safety valve. This is a play-action man beater against aggressive linebackers biting on the run, with the primary read progression going flat (near TE) to the corner-breaking route (far TE) to the HB checkdown if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Key the flow of the linebackers at the snap, since heavy run commitment leaves the flat and corner routes wide open on the boot side. Watch the far side safety depth pre-snap, since a single high safety struggles to cover the corner-breaking route if he is aligned too far from the boot side. Identify man coverage by checking if the flat defender chases the near TE out of the backfield look, which signals an easy completion underneath. Look for a user-controlled defender lurking in the shallow flat area, since that can jump the near TE route and force the QB to the corner route or HB checkdown. Zone coverage with a hard cornerback flat drop is the primary defense that shuts this down, especially if the corner route runner is doubled by a deep half safety.
Usage Tips
Run this out of early down and distance, especially first and second and short, to sell the run fake off Maryland I tendencies established by HB Toss and HB Lead Dive.
Watch for linebackers stepping up on the play fake pre-snap alignment, since that confirms they respect the run and opens the boot lanes.
Use the roll direction to your advantage against edge pressure, since the QB can extend the play if the near flat and corner route are covered.
Hot route the HB into a deeper route if you are facing zone coverage that sits the flat defender underneath, or check him down quickly against man coverage with no safety help.
Sequence this play after Duo or Power O to keep the defense honest on run fits, then hit PA Boot when linebackers start flowing hard to the line of scrimmage.
