Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Left | Pass Block |
| SLWR | Right | Wheel |
| WR1 | Left | Speed In |
| WR2 | Right | Deep Post |
| TE1 | Right | Drag |
PA WR In is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Box Y Split that uses a run fake to freeze linebackers before attacking the intermediate middle of the field. The outside WR runs a deep in route that settles between the hashes, working as the primary read against zone coverage while a vertical or corner route from the Y stretches the safety over the top to open up throwing lanes. This concept is built to punish teams that bite on the run fake, with the primary progression starting at the WR In and moving to the checkdown or backside option if the in route is blanketed.
Read the linebacker depth immediately after the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake the WR In route will have a clean throwing window in the intermediate zone Identify single high versus two high safety alignment pre-snap, this play is more effective against Cover 3 and Cover 1 shells where the middle of the field is thinner Watch for a user controlled defender dropping into a lurk spot in the middle of the field, that is the biggest threat to the deep in route and will bait a turnover if you force it Key the flow of the strong side linebacker or middle linebacker, if they stay disciplined and do not bite on the fake, the window for the in route shrinks and you should move to the checkdown or backside option Beware of Cover 4 or match quarters looks with disciplined corners sitting on in cuts, this coverage shell is the toughest matchup for this concept and often forces you to progress off the primary read
Use this play on early downs like first and second and short when the defense is respecting the run to maximize the play-action freeze effect on second level defenders
Check the box count pre-snap and if the defense is loaded up front with extra defenders near the line, this is a great look because it signals run support that will bite on the fake
Hot route the underneath crosser to a hitch or slant if you see man coverage with a fast nickel corner who can undercut the deep in route
Pair this play with Same Side Zone or Inside Zone earlier in a drive to set up the tendency, then dial up PA WR In once the defense starts creeping linebackers up on run downs
If the safety shell shows two high pre-snap, look to the WR In route sitting down in the soft spot of a Cover 2 or Cover 4 zone rather than forcing it into a single high look where the free safety can rally over top