Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Dagger out of Shotgun Doubles Flex is a play-action shot play built around the classic dagger combo on the left side: the outside receiver runs a deep vertical clear-out route while the inside slot receiver sits down on a dig underneath it, creating a high-low stretch on any linebacker or safety squeezing the middle. On the right side the outside receiver runs a corner-post breaking route to attack the opposite hash and hold the backside safety, while the inline TE/HB checks down on a quick out to the flat as the play-action hold plays out. This is a play-action pass designed to beat both zone and man coverage, with the primary read progression going post/corner route first for the shot play, then working down to the dig sitting in the middle void, and finally checking down to the flat route if the top of the coverage is not there.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high safety alignment which signals Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which are vulnerable to the dagger dig sitting behind the linebacker level and in front of the deep third corner. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, since if the second and third level defenders bite hard on the play-action fake it opens a massive throwing lane for the dig route over the middle. Key the corner route on the right side against two deep safety shells, since a Cover 2 safety who jumps the corner route will open up the deep post window, while a safety staying home takes away the shot play. Post-snap, look for a user-controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, as this is the primary threat that can jump the dig route and force you to check down to the flat instead. This play struggles against aggressive man press coverage with a deep safety shaded to the dagger side, and against Cover 4 or Cover 6 shells that keep two safeties deep and take away both the post and corner routes.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or manageable third and medium situations where defenses are more willing to bite on the run fake, since the play-action hold is critical to opening up the dagger window.
Before the snap identify if the defense is showing two deep safeties or a single high shell, since PA Dagger is labeled a Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater and the dig route sits perfectly in the vacated hole against those shells.
If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, look immediately to the corner route on the right side for a shot play, since the post-corner concept can win one on one against a trailing corner.
Pair this play in your call sheet with Four Verticals and PA FL Fly from the same set to keep defenses honest on deep shots, then mix in RPO Zone Peek or RPO Peek Slant to punish defenses selling out to stop the play-action pass.
Hot route the flat route on the right into a quicker out if you are facing a heavy blitz look, giving yourself a faster underneath answer before the post-corner can develop.
