Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Flood out of Pistol Strong is a classic three-level flood concept to the right side of the field, run from 21 personnel with play-action to sell the run fake first. The X receiver runs a deep corner route to clear out the top, the TE or slot runs a vertical seam that breaks into the flow, and the flanker to that side sits down in the flat, stacking three routes on one side at three distinct depths (deep, intermediate, short). On the backside, the isolated receiver runs a dig style out and up route for a change-up read if the flood side is capped. This is a play-action pass designed as a Cover 3 beater, since it overloads the deep third defender and the flat defender with more routes than they can cover.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check the safety alignment: a single high safety indicates man or Cover 3, both of which this flood concept is designed to punish. Watch the flat defender, usually a linebacker or slot corner, after the snap: if he widens with the flat route, the corner route behind him should be open for the big play. Key the deep third defender on the flood side, if he sinks with the corner route the underneath flat and seam routes will be wide open in front of him. User the deep third defender or a lurking safety to sit in the throwing window between the flat and corner routes, this is the single biggest way to shut this play down. Beware Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties, since they can bracket the corner route and force the quarterback to check down to the backside dig route.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or manageable third downs when you have already established the run game, since the play fake needs defenders biting downhill to work. Pre-snap, identify single high shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1, this concept is built to overload the flat and deep third defender on the flood side. If you see two deep safeties, be ready to check to the backside dig route instead of forcing the flood side. Hot route the flat defender's route to a shallow drag if you are facing aggressive zone rerouting at the line, this keeps the timing clean against physical corners. Pair this play in sequence with Zone Split or Spacing to keep defenses honest on shorter, quicker throws, then come back with PA Flood once you have baited the defense into sitting on underneath zones.
