Playbooks
Breakdown
PA Boot from Pistol Trips shows a play-action bootleg off the run fake, with the QB rolling toward the boundary side away from the trips. The lone backside receiver runs a deep comeback/go route up the sideline (blue) while the three trips receivers stack the field: the inside slot breaks on a deep corner route (red), and the two outside receivers run a deep flag (yellow) and a shallow drag underneath (yellow). This is a play-action shot play designed to hit zone defenses that bite on the run fake, with the primary read starting on the deep corner route out of the slot before working down to the underneath drag and the backside comeback as the roll continues.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment since a single high safety or safeties creeping toward the box signal vulnerability to the deep corner and flag routes. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, since shallow linebackers biting on the run fake open up the underneath drag and the deep corner behind them. Beware user defenders lurking in the throwing lane on the boot side, as a spy or contain defender can jump the QB rollout and disrupt the timing of the corner route read. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with disciplined deep defenders who do not bite on the fake will squeeze the corner route and force the QB into the checkdown drag. Man coverage with no safety help over the top gets exposed by the deep comeback on the backside, so watch for man alignment on that single receiver before the snap.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the ball fake as long as possible before rolling out to keep linebackers and safeties frozen for the deep corner route.
Use this on early downs or in play-action shot situations when the defense is showing run support looks like a single high safety or stacked box.
Check the flat and drag underneath first against aggressive man coverage since the boot naturally creates space for the QB to throw on the move.
Pair this with HB Stretch or HB Zone Wk earlier in a series so the defense respects the outside run action and bites harder on the fake.
Motion or send the backside receiver in pre-snap to confirm man versus zone before the snap, since a defender following the motion signals man coverage and opens up the comeback route on the boot.
