Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Shot out of Shotgun Ace with 12 personnel sells a play-action fake before releasing two vertical shots up the numbers on both the X and Y receivers, with the fullback or blocking TE stepping up to sell run before pivoting out into a shallow checkdown to the flat. The line executes a run-blocking set to sell the play fake, and the QB has a play-action rollout style read that starts outside with the two verticals before working down to the underneath checkdown. This is a shot play designed to beat single-high and man coverage by stressing both outside corners deep, with the checkdown route serving as the safety valve against zone drops or if the shot routes are blanketed.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the safeties are showing two-high or rotating down into the box, since two-high shells force the QB to work the checkdown instead of the verticals. Key the linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the play-action fake it confirms man or aggressive run-fit coverage that the verticals can exploit over the top. Watch for a user-controlled safety sitting deep in the middle of the field, since that defender can rob one of the two vertical routes and force a difficult throw. Against Cover 3 or Cover 4, the checkdown route is the higher percentage option since the corners will have deep help over the top on both verticals. If the defense shows a heavy blitz look with the middle linebacker walked up, expect quick pressure that forces the QB to speed up his checkdown read before the verticals can fully develop.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and medium) when you have already established the run game, since the play fake only holds linebackers and safeties if they respect the ground attack. Pre-snap, look for single-high safety shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since both verticals can win one-on-one against off man or split-safety zone drops. If the corners are playing press man, hot route the checkdown receiver into a quick option route to give yourself a faster outlet against blitz pressure. Pair this shot play with Inside Zone or HB Draw earlier in a drive so linebackers start cheating up on run action, which opens the vertical shots later. Sequence this with PA Read or PA Comebacks to keep the defense honest on play-action without repeating the exact same route concept.
