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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
PA WR In runs off a play-action fake from Shotgun 4WR Trips Strong, using the run fake to hold linebackers before attacking the middle and boundary of the field. From the diagram, the backside X runs a deep comeback breaking route to the corner while the trips side shows the closest receiver running a shallow crosser underneath, the middle slot receiver running a deep in that bends over the middle after a vertical stem, and the outside trips receiver stemming vertical before breaking outside on a corner route. The primary read progresses from the deep in over the middle as the first option off the play-action shell, working out to the outside corner route on the trips side if the shallow crosser or in route are covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake the deep in route will have a wide throwing lane behind them, so user a linebacker and sit him in that window. Key the deep safety on the trips side, if he widens with the corner route the shallow crosser and deep in route become the quarterback's easy answers underneath. This play struggles against zone coverages with active linebacker spies who do not bite on the play-action fake, so if your defense sits in Cover 3 or Cover 4 with disciplined linebackers, the middle throwing lanes stay clogged. Bring a delayed blitz or contain rush off the edge to disrupt the play-action timing, since the quarterback needs a clean pocket to let the deep in route develop. Man coverage with a lurking underneath defender is the biggest counter, use a user lurk to sit in the shallow crossing route's lane and bait the throw for a jump.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when you have run the ball effectively out of this personnel group, since the play-action fake sells harder against defenses respecting Inside Zone or HB Draw from this set.
Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap, this play hits hardest against single high looks where the deep in route can split the seam behind linebackers who bit on the run fake.
Hot route the shallow crosser into a quick out or slant if you see man coverage with no underneath help, giving you a faster access point against blitz-heavy calls.
Pair this play with Inside Zone and HB Draw earlier in a drive to condition the defense into run reads, then call PA WR In to punish linebackers stepping up.
Avoid calling this on third and long since the play-action hold delays your release points, use Curls or Stick Nod instead when you need a quicker rhythm throw.
