Playbooks

PA Slide

Shotgun·Bunch TE·11
Play ActionSlidePass Play
Play diagram for PA Slide from Shotgun Bunch TE in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

PA Slide out of Shotgun Bunch TE is a play-action passing concept built off a run fake to sell the linebackers before the QB works to the perimeter. The bunch alignment releases two vertical routes up the seam and sideline while the flat receiver runs the slide route underneath, creating a stretched horizontal to vertical read on the play side. Blocking is set to protect the play fake with the backfield selling run action, making this a zone beater that isolates the flat defender against the slide route while the two verticals occupy deep zone defenders. Primary progression starts with the underneath slide route in the flat, then climbs to the intermediate seam route, and finishes with the deep sideline vertical if the safety bites on the run fake.

Defensive Reads

Watch for linebackers stepping up hard on the run fake pre-snap alignment, since PA Slide punishes overaggressive run support with the wide open flat route. Identify single high safety shells before the snap, as PA Slide's intermediate seam route exploits the vacated deep middle when the safety has to account for both verticals. Post-snap, key on the flat defender's reaction to the slide route, if he sits on the flat the seam route behind him is open, if he sinks with the seam route the flat is uncontested. Beware of Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with disciplined deep safeties, since two high looks limit the effectiveness of the vertical routes and force checkdowns to the flat. Look for user controlled defenders lurking underneath the seam route or jumping the slide route in the flat, as smart defensive users will bait the QB into throwing into a trap zone against this concept.

Usage Tips

Sell the run fake by holding the ball fake through your PA Slide read progression instead of rushing to the pass, since linebacker bite on the fake opens up the flat route immediately.

Check pre-snap for single high versus two high safety shells, PA Slide against single high creates a natural window for the intermediate seam route because the deep safety has more ground to cover.

Use the flat slide route as your checkdown against zone drops when linebackers sink deep, and progress to the vertical routes when you see man coverage or blitz looks with no deep help.

Pair PA Slide with Mtn PA Cross Switch or PA Boot Over in the same set to keep defenses guessing between boot action and traditional PA Slide, forcing linebackers to hesitate on run fits.

Best called on early downs like first or second and medium to short yardage where defenses expect run action from the bunch look, maximizing the play fake's effectiveness against aggressive run defense.

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