Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Comeback out of Full House TE Pistol shows a play-action shot off run fakes, using the extra blockers in the backfield to sell run action before the quarterback works the perimeter. The diagram shows three routes: a deep comeback breaking back to the sideline from the top of the stem on the left (red), a shallow drag or flat route crossing underneath from right to left (blue), and a vertical seam or go route up the numbers on the right (gold). With the run fake holding linebackers and safeties, the primary read progression starts with the vertical seam route to see if it clears the defense for an explosive shot, then works to the comeback as the boundary throw against off coverage, and checks down to the underneath crosser as the safety valve versus pressure or tight coverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth before the snap: if they are stacked close to the line anticipating run from the Full House TE look, this play-action concept will hold them and open up all three routes. Read the corner's leverage on the comeback side, since off coverage or bail technique is what makes the comeback route effective against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells. Key the safety rotation post-snap, because a hard robber or single high safety rolling toward the comeback route signals a user lurking underneath to jump the break. Man coverage with inside leverage on the vertical seam route is the biggest threat to this play, since it removes the big play option and forces the quarterback to hold the ball longer. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers up the middle can beat this play if the offensive line in Full House TE personnel cannot pick up interior pressure, so check protection or account for a hot route on the underlying crosser against overload blitzes.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into biting on the play-action fake, since Full House TE personnel naturally sells run first. Check the safety alignment before the snap: if you see two deep safeties holding their shell post-snap, prioritize the comeback route since it settles in front of off corners in Cover 2 or Cover 4. If the corner is playing tight man coverage, hot route the comeback into a fade or speed out to prevent him from squatting on the break. This play hits best on second and medium or third and short to medium, where defenses respect the run fake from Full House personnel and bite on the play-action. Pair this play in a sequence with HB Dive and Counter Lead from the same set to keep defenders honest on run fits, then dial up PA Comeback once you see linebackers creeping up in run support. Combine with PA TE Corner as a changeup so defenses cannot sit on the comeback route after seeing it once.
