Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Read out of Shotgun Ace Slot 12 personnel fakes the handoff to sell run action before the QB works a three level progression. The two outside receivers run vertical clear out routes to stretch the deep coverage, the slot TE runs a deep dig/corner combo breaking outside as the primary read, and the backside receiver runs a shallow drag across the formation as a checkdown or man beater against trailing linebackers. This is a play action pass built to punish teams keying the run fake, with the deep clear outs opening the intermediate dig for the true progression read.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers stepping up hard on the run fake, that is your cue the dig route will be wide open behind them. If safeties stay deep and disciplined without biting on the play action, the vertical clear outs may be covered and you should immediately look to the underneath drag. Man coverage on the slot receiver is a green light for the dig to win against trailing defenders since the route breaks away from the defender's leverage. Blitz packages that bring extra defenders can beat this if the drag and dig routes are both taken away quickly, so have a checkdown mindset if pressure arrives before routes develop. User controlled defenders sitting in a lurk position over the middle can jump the dig route, so scan for that user before committing to the throw.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like first or second and short to mid distance so the run fake actually holds linebackers and safeties.
Check the box count and safety depth pre-snap, if you see a run heavy front with linebackers sitting on the line the fake will freeze them and open the dig route immediately.
Your first read should be the deep dig breaking from the slot, but if the coverage rotates to take that away, work the underneath drag as your checkdown against man coverage or blitz looks.
Pair this with Inside Zone or QB Power earlier in a drive to condition the defense to bite on run action, then dial up PA Read to hit the explosive shot play.
Against zone shells, hot route the outside vertical routes into deeper stems or sit routes to sit down in soft spots created by the linebackers stepping up on the fake.
