Playbooks

PA Over Whip Out

Shotgun·Deuce Close·12
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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

PA Over Whip Out is a play-action shot play out of the Shotgun Deuce Close 12 personnel set that uses a fake outside zone run to freeze the second and third level defenders before attacking with a deep over concept. The whip route creates instant separation underneath against man coverage while the out route occupies the flat defender, and the over route works as the deep in-breaking primary read against zone shells. Your progression starts with the over route crossing the middle of the field, then works down to the whip if the linebackers sink deep, with the out as your late checkdown against a soft flat defender.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment since single high leaves the deep over route vulnerable to a lurking free safety who can jump the crosser. Watch linebacker depth at the snap: if they step up hard on the run fake, the whip route will have a wide throwing lane underneath for an easy completion. Post-snap, key the flat defender's leverage on the out route, since a defender sitting on top of the route can bait a pick six if the quarterback stares it down. This play struggles against zone blitzes that get a spy on the quarterback and disguise pressure, because the extra hitch in the play-action fake gives edge rushers time to close. Man coverage with a robber underneath is the toughest matchup, since the robber can sit in the whip route's window and take away the easy underneath completion, forcing a low percentage throw to the over.

Usage Tips

Sell the run fake by holding the play-action animation out fully before your first read, especially against aggressive defenses that key on backfield motion.

Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short when the defense is expecting inside zone or outside zone from this formation, since the run fake plays off the other zone runs in the Deuce Close set.

If the defense shows a two high shell pre-snap, expect the over route to have room to work against split safeties, so prioritize that read immediately after the fake.

Motion check the flat defender before the snap: if a cornerback or slot defender sits soft over the whip route, hot route the out to a deeper comeback to punish zone drops.

Pair this play in a sequence with Outside Zone and Inside Zone earlier in the drive so linebackers start biting on the run fake, then hit this shot play for an explosive gain once the defense over commits to stopping the ground game.

Other Plays in Deuce Close