Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Deep In is a play-action shot play out of Pistol Strong Slot Close that sells the run fake before attacking downfield with a deep in breaker as the headline route. The outside receiver runs a deep in that sits down around 15 yards, the boundary receiver runs a deep crosser that clears the underneath zones, and the inside slot receiver pushes vertical before breaking outside on a corner route that stretches the sideline. The remaining route is a short outlet check down underneath, giving the quarterback a layered progression from deep to short after the play fake holds the linebackers. This is primarily a man beater built to punish aggressive linebacker run fits, though the deep in and corner combo can also split zone coverage seams if the safeties bite on the run action.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth immediately after the snap. If they step up hard on the run fake, the deep in route will come open in the intermediate zone before the safety can rotate over. Key the deep safety over the corner route. If he stays flat footed on the play fake, the corner route will win over the top for an explosive gain. Man coverage on the outside receiver running the deep in is a green light, since the route breaks away from most man defenders and creates natural separation. Cover 3 with an aggressive underneath robber can sit on the deep in route and cut it off, so be ready to work the check down or corner route if you see a defender sinking into that throwing lane pre-snap. Blitz packages that send extra rushers up front are dangerous here because the deep routes take time to develop, so identify overload blitz looks pre-snap and be ready to get the ball out quickly to the check down.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs like first or second and short when the defense is geared up to stop the run, since the play action fake needs linebackers stepping up to open the throwing lanes.
Check safety depth before the snap. If both safeties are within 8 yards of the line of scrimmage, this play has a high ceiling because the deep in and corner route will both have room to work behind the fake.
Hot route the check down back into a flat route against man coverage if you see a linebacker shaded over him, this turns a safety valve into a real answer against blitz looks.
Progression should start with the deep in route since it is the primary read, then work to the corner route on the opposite side if the underneath defenders sink too deep, and finally check down if both are covered.
Pair this play with HB Dive and Strong Power from the same set to sell the same backfield action and keep linebackers guessing before dialing up PA Deep In once they start crashing downhill.
