Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Comebacks out of Pistol Doubles uses a play-action fake to hold the linebackers before attacking the sideline with three comeback breaks. The two outside receivers to the trips side and the backside X all snap their comebacks back toward the boundary at roughly 12-15 yards, while the inside slot from the trips side climbs vertically up the seam to hold the safety and linebackers. The blocking scheme sells run action up front to freeze second-level defenders, making this a man beater that punishes press and off-man corners who cannot flip their hips in time, with the primary read progression going backside comeback first, then working to the trips side comebacks underneath the seam clear-out.
Defensive Reads
Watch safety depth pre-snap, since two deep safeties who stay home at the snap signal zone coverage that can undercut the comeback breaks with a corner sitting in a hard zone drop. Man coverage with corners playing outside shade is the ideal matchup for this play because the comeback route breaks away from their leverage. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender can jump the shorter comeback break, so read the flat defender depth before committing to the throw. Blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge are dangerous here because the play-action fake slows the quarterback's initial drop and eats into throwing time. If the user controls a linebacker and drops him deep into a lurk zone underneath the seam route, expect him to close on the trips side comebacks quickly, so favor the backside throw instead.
Usage Tips
Check for man coverage indicators pre-snap like corners lined up tight or shaded outside, since the comeback breaks create instant separation against man defenders who bite on the play-action.
Use the play-action fake fully by letting the animation play out before your first read, since the comebacks need extra time to develop at 12-15 yards.
Attack the backside single receiver first against man coverage because he has a clean release with no natural help defender shading toward the sideline.
Pair this with Four Verticals or PA Post Shot from the same set to keep defenders honest against the run fake, then hit them with the comeback double move mentality on the next series.
Best called on second and medium to second and long where defenses respect the run action and linebackers step up, opening throwing lanes underneath the comeback breaks.
