Playbooks
Breakdown
Escort PA Slide is a play-action pass out of Pistol Doubles Y Off that shows a run fake to the backfield before the QB works a half field slide progression. The diagram shows two vertical routes stacked outside the numbers on the play side, a deep comeback breaking toward the sideline from the far outside receiver on the opposite side, and an underneath slide/flat combo working from the backfield through the middle of the field. The blocking scheme shows the offensive line sliding protection toward the run fake side while the backfield personnel escorts through the play action, giving the QB a clean pocket to read the flat defender to backside comeback progression. This is a play-action, man and zone beater built to attack defenders who bite on the run fake, with the primary read starting on the underneath slide route and working up to the vertical stack if the shallow defenders squat.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers stepping up hard on the run fake, if they bite the slide route underneath opens up immediately for an easy completion. Identify single high safety alignment pre snap, this often signals man coverage underneath which favors the vertical stack routes on the play side. Look for user controlled defenders sitting in the shallow zone or lurking near the slide route, this is the primary threat that shuts down the underneath read. Key the backside cornerback depth on the comeback route, if he plays too far off the line the comeback sits in an open zone window. Watch for edge blitzers crashing off the play action fake, since the protection slides toward the run side a backside blitz can collapse the pocket quickly if unaccounted for.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by pausing on the play action animation, this holds linebackers and safeties long enough to open the underneath slide route.
Check pre snap for single high shells, if the safety cheats down expect man coverage underneath and prioritize the vertical stack on the play side.
Use motion pre snap to identify if the defense shifts to man or stays zone, this tells you whether to hot route the slide into a quicker option or let it develop.
Pair this play with HB Dive or HB Zone from the same set to set up the play action fake, then call Escort PA Slide once the defense starts biting on run keys.
Best used on early downs (1st or 2nd) when defenses are more likely to respect the run fake, avoid calling it on obvious passing downs against aggressive blitz packages.
