Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Left | Flat |
| SLWR | Left | Deep Out |
| WR2 | Left | Fade |
| WR1 | Right | Deep Cross |
| TE1 | Right | Flat |
PA Slide is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Doubles Y Off WK that uses a run fake to freeze linebackers before working a deep crossing route combo. The backfield fake pulls the underneath defenders and safeties toward the box, opening up a slide concept where receivers work across the field at staggered depths, giving the quarterback a high to low progression. This is a zone beater at its core, since it attacks the seams and voids created when zone defenders bite on the play-action, though it can also work against man coverage if the crosser creates natural separation off a pick or rub. The primary read starts with the deepest breaking route working across the middle, then progresses down to the underneath slide route if the safety plays the top of the route tight.
Read the middle linebacker or nickel defender at the snap. If they step up hard on the run fake, the crossing route behind them should be open for a big gain. Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap. Single high Cover 1 or Cover 3 is more vulnerable since the deep safety has more ground to cover on the crosser. Watch for a robber or rat defender sitting in the middle of the field, since this is the primary defender who can undercut the deep crossing route and bait a turnover. Post snap, key the corners. If they stay flat footed and open their hips to the fake, they are out of position to help over the top on the crossing concept. Beware of user controlled defenders spying the middle of the field or lurking underneath, since a smart human opponent will sit on the crosser and jump the route if the fake does not sell.
Use this play on early downs like first or second and medium when defenses are more likely to sit in base zone shells expecting run, since the play fake carries more weight and linebackers flow harder.
Check safety depth before the snap. If both safeties are deep at 10 plus yards in a two high shell, the play action fake will not hold them and you should move to a quicker hitting concept instead.
Hot route the shallow underneath receiver into a quick option or flat route against Cover 3 to give yourself an outlet if the deep crosser is capped by a robber or rat linebacker.
Pair PA Slide with Mtn Inside Zone Split or Counter Y earlier in a series so the defense respects the run fake and linebackers start cheating downhill, which sets up the play fake to actually freeze the second level.
Avoid calling this against known blitz heavy defenses on third and long, since the play fake eats clock and puts extra stress on your protection if extra rushers are sent.
Combine with RPO Glance Post or RPO Glance Slant in the same drive to keep the defense guessing between quick game and play-action shots off similar formation looks.