Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Slot Out is a play-action pass out of Pistol U Off Trips that shows a two-man deep route combo away from the trips side. The outside receiver runs a vertical dig/post to the deep middle (red route) while the inside receiver stacks a deep out that breaks hard to the sideline underneath the corner route path (gold route), and the running back fakes the handoff before releasing to block or check down. The play-action fake freezes linebackers, and the primary read progression starts with the deep out on the boundary since it clears out fast in man coverage, then works back to the deep crosser/dig if the flat defender squats on the out route.
Defensive Reads
Check for two-high safety shells pre-snap since single-high looks invite an easy throw to the deep out route in the boundary. Watch cornerback press alignment on the outside receiver, off coverage lets the deep out sit down for an easy completion while press coverage forces a contested catch. Post-snap, key the flat/curl defender to see if he widens with the out route or stays home to rob the crosser, this determines which route in the progression is open. User linebackers who spy the running back after the play-action fake can undercut the shallow crossing route, so be ready to reset to the deep out if you see a user lurk. Cover 3 with a hard-charging edge blitz shuts this down quickly since the quarterback needs extra time in the pocket for the deep routes to clear, so identify overload blitz fronts pre-snap and consider checking to a quick game concept instead.
Usage Tips
Sell the play-action fake by holding the snap button or letting the animation play out fully so linebackers bite on the run fake before dropping into coverage.
Use this against teams that key run-heavy tendencies from Pistol formations since the play fake is more effective when the defense respects the ground game.
Hot route the trips-side receivers into quick option routes if you diagnose a blitz pre-snap, since the deep developing routes take too long against pressure.
Pair this call with HB Stretch or HB Dive earlier in a drive to establish run tendencies, then dial up PA Slot Out to punish linebackers who sell out against the fake.
Best used on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and medium) since the deep routes require time to develop and a sack or negative play kills the down on 3rd and long.
