Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Strong Flow out of the Jumbo Near formation shows a play-action fake to the strong side that holds the linebackers before releasing three routes. The diagram shows a flat route to the boundary side, a deep out breaking to the opposite sideline, and a vertical seam route splitting the two that climbs up the middle of the field. This is a play-action shot play designed to attack zone coverage by clearing out underneath defenders with the flow fake while the seam route works the vacated middle, with the primary read progression starting at the seam route before working to the deep out and using the flat as a checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers stepping up hard on the play-action fake, which signals aggressive run support defenders that will vacate the middle for the seam route to exploit. Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap, since single high defenses leave the deep out more exposed on the backside. Key on the flat defender's positioning, if a corner or linebacker sinks too deep into a zone drop the flat route becomes an easy completion underneath. Look for a user lurking defender sitting in the middle of the field who can jump the seam route, this is the biggest threat to shutting down the primary read. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can disrupt the play-action timing, so watch pre-snap for overloaded fronts on either side of the offensive line.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs like first or second and short to mid distance when defenses are geared up to respect the run out of Jumbo personnel.
Check the safety alignment before the snap: if you see two high safeties sitting deep, the seam route can be a tighter window so be ready to work the deep out on the backside instead.
Hot route the flat receiver into a shallow drag if you are facing man coverage with a linebacker matched up, since it creates an easy rub against man defenders trying to stay in phase.
Pair this play with FB Dive Weak and FB Dive from the same set to set up the run fake, since defenses that bite on early down run tendencies out of this personnel package are the ones most vulnerable to the play-action shot.
Take the seam route shot on early downs and bail to the deep out or flat checkdown on third down situations where a sack or negative play is costly.
