Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Flood out of Pistol Full House Base is a three level flood concept to the right side off play action, designed to hold Cover 3 defenders with a classic high low low stretch. The TE runs a deep vertical clear out, the outside receiver runs a flat route underneath, and the slot runs a deep dig that sits down over the middle behind the flat route, while the backfield fakes the run to sell the play action. The primary read progresses from the vertical clear out to the deep dig sitting behind the flat, then down to the flat as the checkdown, attacking the flood side from deep to short against zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, identify single high safety alignment and tight cornerback press technique since Cover 3 with man corners is the shell this concept is built to exploit. Post snap, watch the deep third defender to the flood side, if he stays flat footed on the vertical route the dig behind him will come open in the intermediate window. Key the flat defender or curl to flat linebacker, if he sinks with the dig route instead of squatting on the flat, the underneath flat throw becomes the quick answer. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the deep dig throwing lane are the biggest threat to this concept, so scan for a rat in the middle before pulling the trigger on that route. Cover 4 and Cover 6 shells with two deep safeties can shut this down since the deep vertical route no longer occupies a single defender, forcing the quarterback to rely on the flat route earlier in the progression.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or second and medium when the defense is showing run support looks out of Pistol personnel to sell the play action fake harder. Check the pre snap safety alignment, if you see two deep safeties rotate down to a single high shell after the snap that confirms Cover 3 and this play is designed to punish it. Use the vertical route as a clear out to occupy the deep third defender, then work the deep dig against the middle of the field zone drop before checking down to the flat route if the underneath defenders sink too deep. Hot route the backside TE or slot into a shallow drag if you need an emergency outlet against pressure looks. Pair this with PA Boot and PA Comeback Flood in your play calling sequence so the defense cannot key on the flood side or the play action fake, keeping linebackers honest against Counter Lead and Wing HB Dive from the same formation.
