Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Read is a play-action pass out of Pistol Y Trips that sells run action to the backfield before working a three level stretch to the trips side and a deep post from the backside. Off the fake, the outside trips receiver runs a deep corner up the sideline, the middle trips receiver crosses the field on a deep in that settles as an over route, and the inside slot receiver runs a shallow crossing route underneath to the opposite hash. The backside single receiver runs a skinny post that stretches the middle of the field vertically. Primary progression starts with the corner route up top against man coverage, works down to the deep crosser sitting in soft zone, and comes back to the post as the field clears out.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth immediately after the snap: if they step up hard on the fake, the deep crosser and post will have wide open throwing lanes behind them. Check for two deep safeties pre-snap, since that shell can bracket the corner route and force you to work the underneath crossers instead. Man coverage on the outside trips receiver is the green light to attack the corner route, especially against off man where the defender has to flip his hips late. Look for a user-controlled linebacker or safety sitting in the middle of the field as a lurk threat against the deep crosser, since that route crosses right through the intermediate zone. Zone blitzes with only three deep defenders can be hit deep on the backside post if the play side rotates hard toward trips, so watch for backside safety rotation before locking onto the trips concept.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or second and short when the defense is keyed on stopping the run out of Pistol, since the play action freezes linebackers and opens up the crossing routes underneath.
Check the safety alignment before the snap: two high safeties usually means the corner route up top can be squeezed, so prioritize the deep crosser sitting behind the linebackers instead.
If the cornerback is playing tight man on the outside trips receiver, take the corner route on a back shoulder throw before he can flip and run vertically.
Hot route the shallow crosser into a spot or drag underneath if you see a Cover 2 shell, since that route naturally settles into the void behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties.
Pair PA Read with HB Slam or HB Dive earlier in a series to bait linebackers into biting on run fits, then come back to this play to hit the post or corner route once they start cheating downhill.
