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Breakdown
PA Deep In runs off a play-action fake from Pistol Trips Left Open, using the run fake to hold the second and third level defenders before the QB gets to his boot progression. To the trips side, the inside slot runs a deep in that settles across the middle as the primary read, while the outside receiver on that side clears vertically to open the window underneath him and the third receiver runs an out to the flat/sideline as a shorter checkdown. On the backside, the single receiver runs a comeback/curl breaking back toward the sideline, giving the QB a quick outlet away from the play-action rollover. This is a play-action man beater against man coverage since the deep in creates natural separation off the break, but it also holds up against zone if linebackers bite on the run fake and vacate the middle window.
Defensive Reads
Key the linebackers immediately after the snap: if they bite hard on the run fake and drop late, the deep in crosser will be wide open in the intermediate middle. Watch the deep safeties before the snap; two-high shells with safeties staying deep will squeeze the throwing window on the deep in and force the QB to hold the ball longer, which is a good spot for a user-controlled lurk defender to jump the route. If the defense shows man coverage with the corner playing outside leverage on the trips side outside receiver, expect the deep in to have a clean throwing lane since the vertical release occupies that defender. A blitzing linebacker or nickel defender crashing off the edge can disrupt the play-action timing, so watch for delayed pressure schemes and disguised blitz packages that get to the QB before the deep in fully develops. Zone coverage with a deep middle robber or a linebacker sitting in the hook zone can jump the deep in route if the QB stares it down, so this play is vulnerable to a well-timed zone drop into the throwing lane.
Usage Tips
Use PA Deep In on early downs, especially first and ten or second and short, so the play-action fake actually threatens the defense and freezes linebackers.
Pre-snap, check the safety alignment: if you see two deep safeties sitting at depth with no run blitz indicators, they are respecting the pass and the deep in window across the middle will be tighter, so be ready to check down to the backside comeback.
If the defense shows single high or a run blitz look, trust the play fake to hold the linebackers and attack the deep in behind them for a big chunk gain.
Hot route the flat runner on the trips side into a quick out or option route if you are facing aggressive man coverage with a corner playing hard inside leverage, this gives you a faster answer than waiting on the deep in to develop.
Pair this play with HB Dive or Close HB Dive earlier in a series to sell the run fake, then come back to PA Deep In once the defense starts creeping linebackers into the box.
