Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action rollout out of Pistol Doubles Flex Hip that pulls the QB to the boot side away from the play fake, giving him a run-pass option feel with his legs. The backside receiver runs a deep comeback while the outside receiver on the boot side breaks off a deep crosser working away from the rollout, and the inline TE runs a vertical seam up the middle as a checkdown against zone drops. The primary read starts with the vertical seam off the play fake, then works to the deep crosser on the rollout side, using the QB's legs as the boot side outlet if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
This play beats single high shells and Cover 3 zone drops because the deep crosser has room to work behind linebackers who are keying the run fake. It struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells where the safety on the boot side stays deep and can undercut the crosser as it works across the field. Watch for a user-controlled safety sitting in the middle of the field post-snap, since that defender can jump the vertical seam route if he reads play action quickly and abandons his deep responsibility. Man coverage with a linebacker spy on the QB is the biggest threat, since a disciplined spy can contain the rollout and force a checkdown or throwaway. Pre-snap, check for stacked or bunched corners on the boot side, since press man alignment there signals the defense is selling out to jump the deep crosser before it develops.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or second and short to sell the run fake off Inside Zone Split and HB Draw out of the same set, since the play action hold depends on defenders biting on the run look.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see two deep safeties sitting still at the snap the play fake likely won't hold linebackers, so lean on the vertical seam read instead of waiting on the deep crosser.
Roll with the QB on the boot and buy time in the pocket, since the play design wants you to extend the play and let the deep crosser clear underneath zone defenders.
Pair this play with Curls or Slants from the same set to keep the defense honest on quick game reads before hitting them with this deeper shot play.
Against aggressive one high looks, hot route the vertical seam TE into a shorter option if the middle of the field linebacker sits underneath it, since that read becomes contested against man coverage with a rangy MLB.
