Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Boot Lt is a play-action rollout out of the Pistol Wing with 12 personnel that pulls the quarterback to the left edge behind a run fake. The route concept sends three receivers deep into a flood: one runs a deep crossing route from the backside all the way to the far left sideline, a wing/TE runs a shallow drag underneath heading the same direction, and a third receiver on the right side breaks off a deep in cut over the middle. On the backside, a receiver stays home on a shorter comeback/curl toward the boundary while the line executes a play-action run block to sell the fake. The primary read is the shallow drag or flat option first since the quarterback is rolling toward that side, then work up to the deep crosser if the underneath defender bites on the run fake or the flat, with the deep in-cut over the middle as a late-window checkdown against zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Watch strong safety depth pre-snap: if he is sitting shallow near the box, he is likely keying run and will bite on the fake, opening the deep crosser. Identify if the defense is in zone coverage by checking linebacker depth at the snap; if they sink into short zones instead of chasing the run fake, expect the deep in-cut over the middle to be your best option. Man coverage on the outside receivers is where this play hurts defenses most, since the crossing routes create natural rub and separation as the quarterback rolls away from initial contact. Beware of a boundary corner blitz or edge pressure from the play side, since the rollout puts the quarterback directly in the path of an unblocked edge rusher if the defense brings numbers that direction. Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with disciplined zone drops can take away the shallow drag and force a longer developing throw, so watch for a flat defender sitting rather than flowing with the run fake.
Usage Tips
Run this from under center-feel Pistol looks on early downs, ideally second or third and short to medium, so the run fake actually threatens the defense.
Check the flow of the linebackers pre-snap; if they are stacked tight to the box expecting run, this play action rollout is nearly automatic for the shallow drag or flat conversion.
Roll the quarterback with the flow, do not try to reset in the pocket, since the design is built entirely around throwing on the move to the left side.
If the defense shows man coverage, prioritize the deep crossing route since it creates natural separation against man defenders trailing across the field.
Pair this play with HB Slam or Strong Power earlier in a series to sell the same backfield action, then hit PA Boot Lt once the linebackers start crashing downhill on run reads.
