Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Ctr Waggle is a play-action pass out of the Pistol Wing formation with 12 personnel that sells a center run fake before the QB rolls opposite the flow. Off the fake, the near TE (blue) runs a quick out to the flat then breaks upfield on a corner route, the receiver split out (red) pushes vertical and cuts back outside on a deep corner, and the backside X (yellow) runs a deep dig that stems outside before breaking hard upfield into a corner/post angle. The primary read progression starts with the flat/corner combo on the play-action side (blue route) as the first option in the boot flow, then works to the deep out and corner breaking routes on both the front and backside for explosive shot plays if the underneath option is covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers stepping up on the run fake, that flow confirms man or zone coverage is vacating underneath throwing lanes for the corner routes. Single high safety alignment pre-snap suggests Cover 1 or Cover 3, both of which are vulnerable to the deep corner breaking routes on the perimeter. If corners are playing off with cushion, the flat route to the near TE will be open quickly against zone drops that sink too deep too fast. Watch for user-controlled linebackers spying the QB waggle since they can jump the flat route or force an early throw before routes develop. Cover 2 shells with safeties rotating over the top will squeeze the corner routes, so be ready to check down to the flat or dig route underneath.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs (1st or 2nd and medium) when defenses are keying run to sell the waggle action convincingly.
Check pre-snap for single high safety looks or run blitz alignments since the play action freezes linebackers and opens the flat and corner routes.
Use the flat route as your check down against aggressive man coverage or blitz packages that overload the box.
Hot route the backside dig route into a quick slant if you see Cover 2 sinking hard on the corner routes underneath.
Pair this with HB Counter or Strong Power earlier in a drive so the run fake carries more weight and linebackers bite harder on the waggle action.
