Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Comebacks out of Pistol Weak runs a play-action fake to hold the second and third level before releasing three receivers on comeback style routes. The two outside receivers push vertically upfield off the play fake and break back toward the sideline at roughly 12 to 15 yards, while the slot receiver runs a shorter comeback of his own to the flat side away from the fake, giving you a high low comeback combo on the boundary and a shallow comeback on the backside. This is a play-action man beater that also holds up well against zone defenses that sink their corners too deep on the snap, and the primary read progression starts with the widest comeback route to the play fake side before working back to the shorter comeback route on the opposite side of the formation.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the safeties are showing two high or rotating to one high, since two high shells with soft corners will sit on the comeback and undercut the throw. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they crash hard on the run fake it opens a throwing lane over the middle before the comebacks even break. Post-snap, key the corners' feet, if they bail deep into a comeback trail technique or sit and read the quarterback's eyes, the window shrinks fast and you need to reset your progression. User controlled defenders sitting at the sticks or lurking underneath the outside comeback route can jump the throw, so scan for any manually controlled defender shading toward the boundary before committing. This play struggles against disciplined Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells where corners squat on intermediate routes without biting the play fake, so avoid calling it into obvious pass reads where the defense is sitting back.
Usage Tips
Sell the play fake by holding the snap button or using the analog fake if your version supports it, since the pump on the run action is what buys time for the comebacks to break open against aggressive linebackers.
Use this on second and medium or third and medium to long distances where corners are sitting on shorter routes but still have to respect the play fake threat.
Check pre-snap for single high safety looks such as Cover 3 or Cover 1, since those shells put your corners in a bind trying to stay over top while reading run action.
Hot route the backside comeback receiver into a quick out or speed out against teams that consistently jump comeback routes with their corners, this keeps the defense honest without abandoning the concept.
Pair this call with HB Zone Wk or Triple Option earlier in a series to get defenders flowing hard on run reads, then come back to PA Comebacks to punish linebackers and safeties who bite on the fake.
