Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Boot Lt is a play-action bootleg out of Pistol Wing Slot that pulls the QB left off a run fake while the backfield and line sell inside zone. The outside receiver on the boot side runs a deep corner route while the TE crosses underneath it on a shallow drag to the opposite flat, and the third receiver clears vertically up the numbers to hold the safety, with the fullback releasing to the boot side flat as the checkdown. This is a play-action man beater built around the naked boot action, with the primary read starting on the TE drag underneath, progressing to the checkdown flat route, and coming back to the deep corner as the low percentage shot if the boot fully freezes the defense.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth and flow at the snap. If they bite hard on the run fake and flow away from the boot side, the flat and drag will be wide open underneath. Identify man versus zone by tracking the corner over the deep route. If he turns and runs with the receiver on the corner route, it is man coverage and the drag or flat will likely have room against trailing defenders. Look for a user controlled defender spying the QB on the boot side. A disciplined spy or contain defender can blow up this concept by forcing the QB to throw off platform or eat pressure. Zone shells with linebackers sitting in short curl or hook zones can undercut the drag route, so check if the underneath zone defenders are sinking before committing to that throw. Watch for edge pressure from the defensive end or outside linebacker on the play side. A fast contain rush can collapse the pocket before the boot fully develops, so be ready to throw the flat route early.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage so the run fake actually holds linebackers and the boot action stays believable.
Check safety depth before the snap. If both safeties are sitting deep in a two high shell, prioritize the TE drag and flat route since the corner will likely be covered over the top.
Hot route the vertical clearing route into a deeper post if you see single high man coverage, since it can turn into an explosive shot play against a cornerback playing with no safety help.
Pair this with HB Power O or Strong Power earlier in a series so the linebackers start keying run fits, which sets up the boot fake to hit harder later in the drive.
Roll the QB with the boot action and use the flat route as your emergency outlet if the drag gets picked up by a flowing linebacker, since the naked side often leaves the flat wide open against man coverage.
