Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Slide is a play-action pass out of Pistol Strong Y Off Close that sells the run fake before working a full-field slide protection with three levels of routes. The play-side TE runs a deep out breaking toward the sideline while the backside receiver and slot both work vertical routes up the numbers, and the fullback or second back slides out on a check release flare underneath along the line of scrimmage. This is primarily a zone beater, using the deep out and flare combo to attack the flat and hole defenders while the two verticals stress deep zone defenders, with the primary read progression starting on the underneath flare against blitz or soft coverage, then working to the intermediate out, and finally going up top to the verticals if the safeties bite on the play-action.
Defensive Reads
Read the middle linebacker depth at the snap since a shallow drop signals he is keying the run fake and will be late getting to his zone drop, opening the underneath flare Check safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety or two deep shell that rotates late is vulnerable to the vertical routes stressing the seams Watch for a user-controlled defender sitting in a shallow zone or spying the flare release, this lurk threat can jump the underneath route if the quarterback stares it down Man coverage with press corners on the outside receivers is where this play struggles since the deep out and verticals lack immediate separation without a hard cut or throw before the break Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge test the slide protection, so identify pre-snap blitz indicators like walked up linebackers or safety creep to know when to get the ball out on the quick flare
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into stepping up for the run fake before the slide protection kicks in
Attack this play against single high safety looks or Cover 3 shells since the two vertical routes on the backside stretch the deep zone defenders and open the deep out underneath
If the user drops a linebacker into a shallow lurk, immediately hot route the flare route into a quicker option or bump the intermediate out to a speed cut to beat the sitting defender
Best called on second and medium or third and medium to long when the defense is anticipating a run based on personnel and the play fake can freeze the second level
Pair this with HB Dive or HB Zone earlier in a series to set up the play-action fake, then sequence into PA Slide once the defense starts crashing down on run keys
