Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Deep In from Pistol Strong Slot sells a run fake before the QB works a three level stretch to the strong side. The outside receiver stacks the corner vertically on a deep in breaking route while the slot receiver runs a bender that settles underneath, and the inline receiver on the play side works a quick out into a vertical release outside the numbers. Backside, the split end runs a vertical clearout while the running back checks the edge on a boot style protection before leaking out, giving this play-action pass both a man beater crosser and a zone beater intermediate window over the middle of the field.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a single high safety shell pre-snap, if the safety stays deep and centered this play struggles because he can rob the deep in route as your primary read. Identify man coverage by checking if the slot corner or nickel is lined up tight with no help underneath, that alignment gets exposed by the deep in route settling behind the linebacker level. Read the play side linebacker at the snap, if he steps up hard on the run fake and turns his back to the quarterback, the middle of the field opens up for the in breaking route. Look for a lurking defender sitting in the flat or hook zone who can undercut the deep in route, this is the biggest threat to this concept and forces you to climb the pocket and reset your eyes. Watch for overload blitzes from the strong side edge, since this is a play-action design with backfield help staying in to block, a fast interior blitz can beat the protection before routes develop.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and medium so the play fake actually influences linebackers and safeties instead of getting ignored on obvious passing downs.
Key the middle linebacker before the snap, if he is sitting shallow with no run blitz tell, the deep in route will have a soft window as he bites on the fake.
Hot route the backside clearout to a hitch if you see single high safety cheating hard to the play side, this gives you a quick outlet against a lurking robber defender.
Pair this with HB Power O and Inside Zone Split earlier in a series so defenders start respecting the run action, then hit them with this play-action shot once the linebackers start creeping up.
Against man coverage, prioritize the deep in over the outside vertical since the in breaking route creates natural separation off the play fake against trailing corners and linebackers.
