Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Ctr Waggle is a play-action pass out of Pistol Ace Slot that sells the center run fake before the QB rolls out to the strong side, mimicking a boot action off inside zone. Off the fake, the outside receiver runs a deep vertical from the backside, the TE/slot runs a deep corner route working from the boundary toward the sideline, another inside route breaks flat and out to the sideline at a shallow depth, and the fifth route is a short flat out from the backfield/tight alignment underneath everything. This is a play-action man beater that stresses the flat-to-corner combo on the roll side, with the primary read progressing from the corner route down to the flat and check-down underneath as the QB rolls with the pocket.
Defensive Reads
Watch for cornerback alignment on the roll side pre-snap, press man leaves the flat and corner combo vulnerable to a natural pick or rub. Key the playside outside linebacker or edge defender post-snap, if he stays home and does not bite on the fake he can undercut the flat route or contain the QB scramble. Identify single high safety shells since they leave the deep corner route in a soft spot against cover 3 or cover 1 zone drops. User a linebacker or safety to sit in the flat if you suspect PA Ctr Waggle, this is the primary lurk spot that shuts down the underneath progression. Blitzes off the backside edge are the biggest threat to this play since the QB rolls away from backside pressure but a fast contain rusher can still close the window before routes develop.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs (1st or 2nd and short to medium) when you have already established the run game so linebackers bite on the center fake. Check safety depth pre-snap. If both safeties sit deep in a two high shell, the flat and underneath routes become your quickest answers since the corner route will be capped. Hot route the backside vertical into a deep dig or drag if you are getting single high looks with no help over the top, since that route is often uncovered against zone drops. Combine this with HB Power O and HB Dive earlier in a series to sell the run fake harder before dialing up PA Ctr Waggle as a change of pace shot play. Roll with the play design and do not try to reverse field, the entire concept relies on the boot action creating easy reads on the move for the QB.
