Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Pin Deep runs a play-action fake out of Pistol 11 personnel, holding the fullback/HB fake to sell run before releasing routes. The yellow receiver runs a deep out breaking route that turns upfield into a corner/go, the second yellow route runs a drag underneath across the formation as a shallow crosser, the red route pushes vertically up the seam into a deep comeback, and the blue route works from the backfield on a check release into a shallow out. This is a play-action shot play designed to attack single-high and man coverage shells, with the primary read progression starting on the deep red seam/comeback route for the big play, working down to the yellow deep breaking route on the boundary, and checking down to the blue flat/out route underneath if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Check pre-snap safety depth, a single high safety alignment is the green light to attack the deep red seam route since play action will hold him and the corner in man coverage gets beat over the top Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake the shallow crosser and flat route will be wide open underneath for an easy completion Identify man versus zone by watching cornerback technique, tight press or inside shade man coverage on the outside receiver signals the deep breaking yellow route can win on a double move Look for a delayed blitz or contain rush off the edge, since play action holds blockers longer this play is vulnerable to quick pressure so get the fullback fake read fast and get the ball out Two high safety shells and Cover 2 or Cover 4 shut down the deep shot options, in that case bail out to the underneath drag or flat route rather than forcing a deep throw into coverage
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the animation out fully before checking your reads, defenders that bite on play action open up the deep red seam route immediately
Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short/medium when the defense expects run based on personnel and formation tendencies
Motion or shift pre-snap to identify if the defense rotates a safety down, if you see two high safeties stay disciplined and work the underdneath crosser and flat route instead of forcing the deep shot
Pair this with Inside Zone Wk or HB Dive from the same set earlier in a drive to build run recognition so the play action fake actually freezes linebackers and safeties later
Hot route the blue backfield receiver into a deeper option if you are facing zone heavy defenses that sit underneath, this opens up throwing lanes against zone drops
Combine with Motion Zone Split or RPO Read Flat Wheel to keep defenses guessing between run action, quick game and shot plays from the same formation look
