Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Read Special from Near Y Left Slot uses a play-action fake to slow down the front seven before attacking downfield. Off the fake, the outside receiver runs a deep corner route that breaks off a vertical stem, the inside slot receiver climbs a straight vertical seam, and the flanker on the boundary side works a shallow drag underneath into the flat. The tight end or extra back releases from the backfield on a quick out into the boundary flat as the checkdown option, and the play action fake draws linebackers up for a moment to open passing lanes. Primary read progression starts with the corner route against single high safety looks, works to the deep vertical seam if the corner squats, and dumps down to the flat route or drag if the defense drops into a two deep shell and covers everything over the top.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety shells pre-snap since Cover 3 and Cover 1 leave the deep corner route vulnerable to a big play if the cornerback bites on the run fake. Watch for two deep safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4 because those coverages take away the corner and seam, forcing the quarterback to check down underneath. Key the flow of the linebackers after the snap, if they step up hard on the play action fake it opens the seam route for a chunk gain over the middle. Beware of user controlled defenders sitting in the passing lanes on the drag or flat route since those are the first options defenders will jump to bait a turnover. Watch for blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the play action fake can hang the quarterback out if protection breaks down before routes develop.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage since the play action fake is most believable when defenses expect run.
Check pre-snap for single high safety alignment because that tells you the corner route has a favorable one on one matchup against the deep defender.
If the defense shows two deep safeties before the snap, be ready to work the drag route or flat route quickly since the corner and seam will be squeezed.
Hot route the flat route receiver to a quick out or speed out against aggressive man coverage corners to create instant separation off the play fake.
Pair this play with FB Dive or HB Inside earlier in a series to sell the run fake harder, then call PA Read Special once the defense starts crashing downhill on run action.
