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Breakdown
PA Inverted Veer out of Shotgun Ace with 12 personnel shows a four man route concept off play action. To the boundary, the two receivers run a deep dig and post crossing combo that clears out underneath zones and creates natural rub traffic against man coverage. To the field side, the TE runs a deep out breaking back toward the sideline while the RB releases into the flat on a shallow angle route underneath it, forming a high low read that stresses flat defenders and curl to flat zone droppers. The play action fake off the inverted veer look holds linebackers and freezes second level defenders, and the primary read progression starts with the field side flat to out combo before working back to the deep crossing routes if the initial high low is covered.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is loading the box to stop the veer run fake, since that alignment tells you the linebackers will bite hard on the play action and the crossing routes will have room to work. Watch the flat defender and curl to flat zone defender on the field side: if they carry the RB angle route too far outside, the TE out route sits down in the window behind them for an easy completion. Man coverage teams that blitz off the edge are vulnerable here because the play action fake slows the widest rusher and the RB can leak out for a checkdown against a blitzing linebacker. Cover 3 with a hard flat corner can squeeze the out route, so look to reset to the deep dig and post crossers working away from that leverage. Two high shells with disciplined linebackers who stay home on the run fake are the best counter to this play, since they can rob the deep crossing routes and force the quarterback to check down into a crowded underneath area.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when the defense is stacking the box to respect the inverted veer run threat, since the play action fake will hold linebackers and open the underneath crossing routes. Check the flat defender before the snap: if he is sitting too aggressively on the RB angle route, hot route the RB to a wheel to attack the vacated space behind him. Against man coverage, trust the crossing route rub concept on the boundary side to spring one receiver open against tight trail technique. Pair this play with actual Inverted Veer and Power Read from the same formation so the defense has to respect the run fake every time you show this backfield action, making the play action version far more effective on second and medium. If the defense shows two high safeties pre-snap, prioritize the field side out route since the deep crossers will run into more traffic underneath the safety help.
