Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Read Special is a play-action pass out of the Near Close Flex set with 21 personnel that shows a deep vertical seam route from the inline TE, a corner route breaking outside from the slot, and a flat route bending underneath toward the boundary, while a receiver or FB fakes into the backfield to sell the run action. The blocking scheme is built around the play-action fake, giving the offensive line and remaining backs time to sell run before releasing into pass protection. This is a man beating concept: the vertical seam clears out the middle of the field while the corner route works high against outside leverage, so the primary read progression starts with the seam for a big play shot, works to the corner route on the outside if the seam is capped, and settles into the flat as the checkdown against pressure or tight man coverage underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment, since a lone deep safety signals man or Cover 3 and makes the seam route the biggest threat. Watch linebacker depth and hips at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake you can jump the seam or flat route with a user linebacker for a big hit or pick. Spy the flat defender or nickel corner, since aggressive flat drops will erase the checkdown but open a passing window for the corner route breaking outside. Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties take away the seam shot, so bracket the corner route with the outside corner and safety to force the quarterback into the flat. Disguise a blitz look then drop into zone coverage post-snap, since the play action fake slows offensive line reactions and can bait the quarterback into a bad read if he locks onto the seam too early.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake fully before releasing your eyes downfield, since defenders keying run flow will bite on the play action and open passing lanes over the middle.
Use this play on early downs like first and second and short to medium yardage situations where defenses are more likely to stack the box in anticipation of run.
Check for single high safety looks pre-snap, since the seam route from the TE has a clean runway against Cover 3 or Cover 1 with no safety help over the top.
If the defense shows two high safeties or heavy zone drops, hot route the seam runner into a slant or shorten his route to beat the underneath zone before he runs into a deep safety.
Pair PA Read Special with FB Dive or HB Inside earlier in a series to condition the defense to bite on run action, then hit this shot play once linebackers start creeping up in run fits.
