Playbooks
PA Dagger out of Pistol Trips Y Over is a play-action shot play built around the classic dagger concept: a deep vertical route clearing out the middle of the field while a dig or in-route settles underneath it in the void created by the seam runner. The trips side occupies the cornerback and safety over the top while the play fake to the running back manipulates the linebackers and freezes the second level, opening throwing lanes for both levels of the concept. This is primarily a man beater against single high looks, though the dig route can sit down on zone defenses that fail to rotate their linebackers deep enough. The primary read starts with the deep vertical shot off the play fake, then works down to the dig or crosser underneath if the safety stays deep.
Identify single high safety shells before the snap since this play is designed to attack Cover 3 and Cover 1 with the seam route splitting the deep defenders. Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap: if he bites hard on the run fake, the underlying dig route will have a wide throwing window right behind him. Key the safety rotation after the play fake, if he stays flat footed reading the backfield action instead of getting depth, the deep seam shot will be there. Beware Cover 4 or Cover 2 looks with two deep safeties who do not bite on the fake, since they can rob the seam route and force you to check down early or take a sack. User the deep safety yourself in this coverage to jump the dig route if you suspect the offense will settle for the underneath option against your two high shell.
Use this play on second or third and medium to long when defenses expect a run based on your Wide Zone or HB Power G tendencies, since the play fake sells harder against defenses that respect the run game from this personnel and formation. Check the safety alignment pre snap: if you see two high safeties bail into deep zones after the snap, work the dig route immediately instead of forcing the vertical shot. Hot route the underneath trips receiver into a shallow drag or option route if you diagnose man coverage with no safety help, giving yourself a quick outlet against blitz looks. Pair this play in sequence with PA Fk Bubble Wheel to keep defenses honest on the perimeter, then hit them with PA Dagger up the seam once they start jumping the bubble action. Against aggressive slot corners who like to jump underneath routes, motion the slot receiver pre snap to identify man versus zone before the snap and adjust your first read accordingly.