Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Flood out of Pistol Wing Flex Close is a play-action three level flood concept to one side of the field. The play fakes the handoff to hold the linebackers, then floods the same side with a deep corner route from the outside receiver, a mid level out breaking route from the second receiver, and a shallow drag underneath from the tight end or wing, while the backside receiver runs a deep crossing route. The primary read progression works high to low: start with the deep corner to see if it clears the cornerback and safety, then work down to the intermediate out, and finally check down to the shallow drag if the flood window is covered.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high safety alignment and off man corners to confirm Cover 3, which this flood concept is specifically designed to beat by overloading one side with three vertical levels. Post-snap, key the flat defender and curl to flat linebacker: if they widen with the shallow drag, the intermediate out route should sit in the window behind them. Watch for the deep third defender on the flood side; if he stays flat footed on the play-action fake, the corner route will win over the top. This play struggles against Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties, since the deep corner route runs into help and the underneath routes get squeezed by extra defenders sitting in the flood zone. Also read for user-controlled defenders sitting the flood or lurking the drag route, since a smart user linebacker can jump the shallow route and bait the underneath progression.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when you have already established the run from Wing Flex Close to make the play-action fake hold linebackers and the strong safety. Check the pre-snap safety alignment: if you see two high safeties rotate to a single high shell before or right after the snap, that confirms Cover 3 and you should trust the flood concept immediately. Hot route the backside crossing receiver into a hitch or slant if you need a faster underneath outlet against aggressive man coverage. Pair this call with Zone Alert WR Screen or Wide Zone earlier in a drive so the defense keys run action, then hit them with the flood off the same look for a bigger explosive play. Best used on second or third and short to medium, where defenses are more likely to sit in zone shells and bite on the play fake.
