Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Deep In runs a play-action fake from Pistol Trips Open to hold the linebackers before attacking downfield. The trips side shows a deep in breaking route from the inside slot, a corner route releasing from the middle slot toward the sideline, and an outside receiver running a shallow drag underneath across the field. On the backside, the single receiver runs a quick out and the running back fakes the handoff before checking down on a swing to the flat. This is a play-action man and zone beater that stresses linebackers with the run fake and attacks the middle of the field with the deep in as the primary read, working to the corner route as the second read and the flat drag as the outlet.
Defensive Reads
Check the strong safety depth before the snap, if he is sitting shallow near the box he is likely keying run and the deep in will have room behind him. Watch the middle linebacker's first step after the snap, aggressive run fits open the deep in throwing lane immediately. Cover 3 shells with a single deep safety struggle against the deep in and corner combo since the flat defender cannot cover both routes on the trips side. Man coverage with underneath help can bracket the deep in, so identify press corners pre-snap and be ready to work the corner route or flat drag instead. Disguised blitzes with a nickel or linebacker crashing off the edge can beat the play action fake before routes develop, so account for extra rushers with a quick check to the backside out route.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the ball fake through its full animation so linebackers bite and open passing lanes for the deep in route.
Read the middle linebacker or nickel defender at the snap, if he steps up on the fake, the deep in will sit right in the vacated window.
Use this play on second or third and medium situations where defenses expect run action out of Pistol personnel.
Hot route the backside single receiver into a deeper comeback against soft corners to give yourself a true outlet if the trips side gets jumped.
Pair this with HB Dive or Wide Zone Wk earlier in a series so the defense commits to the run fake, then call PA Deep In to cash in on the overcommitment.
