Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Boot is a play-action rollout out of Pistol Doubles that boots the QB to the right off a run fake, giving him a three-level read as he moves outside the pocket. The backside receiver runs a deep corner route, the near outside receiver works a deep out breaking to the boundary, and the slot runs an intermediate crossing route that settles into the middle of the field, while the backside inside receiver runs a quick out as a checkdown or hot route option. The primary progression starts with the deep corner on the roll side, comes down to the crossing route sitting underneath, and finishes with the flat/out route as the outlet, making this an effective zone beater against defenses that flow hard to stop the run fake and vacate the boundary and intermediate windows.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety shells, since single high defenses are more susceptible to the deep corner route once the safety bites on run action. Watch linebacker depth at the snap. If they step up hard to defend the fake, the crossing route and boundary out will have wide throwing lanes underneath. Post-snap, track any user-controlled defender flowing with the rollout, since a spy or contain defender can erase both the corner route and the QB's escape lane. Look for a lurking defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, as a smart zone drop can undercut the crossing route before it clears the linebacker level. Cover 3 with an aggressive flat defender can jump the boundary out route, so be ready to reset to the deep corner or the crossing route if that throwing lane closes. Man coverage with underneath blitz pressure is the toughest matchup for this concept, since the rollout mechanics slow down your release and edge rushers can cut off the pocket before routes develop.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in run-heavy personnel situations where the defense is keying run fits, since the play fake sells harder when opponents respect your ground game tendencies.
Check the play-side safety before the snap. If he is sitting flat footed or creeping into the box, the deep corner route on the roll side will be open once you clear the rollout.
Roll with the QB and use the crossing route as your rhythm throw against zone coverage, since it settles into soft spots vacated by linebackers chasing the run fake.
Pair this with HB Dive or HB Zone earlier in a series to condition the defense to bite on run action, then hit them with PA Boot once linebackers start crashing downhill.
Against man coverage, watch for a slot corner or safety trailing the crossing route, and if he is in phase, look immediately to the boundary out route as your quick-hitting man beater.
Avoid calling this on third and long since the deep drop and rollout mechanics take time to develop, exposing you to edge pressure if the play fake does not hold defenders.
