Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 11 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Z Over is a play-action shot play out of Pistol Deuce Close that sells run action before attacking the middle of the field with a deep crossing route. The Z receiver runs the over route from the backside all the way across the field to the far sideline, while the far outside receiver runs a corner route off the same landmark, creating a natural high low crossing combo against zone defenders. The remaining receiver runs a shallow out to the boundary underneath, giving a checkdown option if the deep routes are covered, and the read progression starts with the over route working across the field, then the corner route on the opposite side, before coming down to the flat route.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth before the snap, if they are sitting shallow expecting run action they will get gashed by the over route crossing underneath them. Identify single high versus two high safety shells, single high means the deep middle is occupied and the over route may be a low value throw, while two high opens up running lanes for it. Key on user controlled defenders sitting in a lurk spot in the middle of the field, since they can jump the over route if the quarterback holds it too long. Cover 3 zone defenses with aggressive underneath linebackers get beat by the over route stretching horizontally past their drop zones. Man coverage with a deep safety help over the top shuts this down since the corner route will run into that safety and the over route will get chased by trailing defenders with no room to separate.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or in 2nd and short to sell the run fake convincingly since the Deuce Close set is loaded with heavy run action in this playbook. Check the safety alignment pre snap, if you see two high safeties the over route has room to work behind linebackers and in front of the deep half. If you see single high, expect the corner route to be the primary answer since the over route will run into help. Hot route the shallow out receiver into a deeper drag if you anticipate man coverage underneath, this gives your checkdown more separation against linebackers stuck in man. Pair this play with HB Dive or HB Stretch earlier in a series to condition the defense to bite on the play fake, then dial up PA Z Over when you see linebackers flowing hard downhill. Take the over route immediately if the linebackers bite on the run fake, since that route will be wide open crossing the field before the safety can rotate over.
