Playbooks
Breakdown
PA Dagger out of Shotgun Doubles is a play-action shot play that opens with a run fake to hold the linebackers before the QB works a two level stretch on the boundary side. The outside receiver on the left runs a deep post while the slot receiver underneath him sits down on a dig route, creating the classic dagger vertical stretch that clears out the middle of the field. On the right, the isolated receiver runs a corner route breaking outside toward the sideline, while the tight end or fullback releases into a flat route from the backfield after selling the play-action block. This is primarily a man beater and Cover 3 beater, with the dagger combo also gashing Cover 2 shells that leave the deep middle exposed. The primary read progression starts with the post on the backside, moves to the dig underneath it if the safety drives down, and comes back to the corner route or flat as checkdown options if the deep shot is not there.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety depth before the snap, if both safeties are shaded deep and wide this is a Cover 2 shell that the post and corner combo is built to punish. Watch the middle linebacker or nickel defender after the snap, if they bite hard on the run fake they will not get enough depth to wall off the dig route. Key the flat defender on the play action side, a good user pulling underneath the flat route can jump the tight end release and force the QB to hold the ball longer. Identify Cover 3 by checking if the corners bail into deep thirds pre snap, this leaves the deep middle vulnerable to the post if the single high safety commits to the dig. Be alert for a blitz off the edge on the boundary side since the fullback or tight end releasing to the flat may not get enough time to seal an extra rusher, forcing a quick decision from the QB.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or second and medium when defenses are more likely to bite on the play action fake and sit their linebackers.
Check pre snap for two deep safeties versus one high, since PA Dagger against a single high safety usually means the post has less help over the top.
If the defense shows Cover 2, prioritize the post to attack the seam between the corner and safety before the safety can rotate over.
Hot route the flat or corner route into a quick out if you see a hard corner blitz coming from the right side, giving your QB a fast release valve.
Pair this play with Four Verticals and Y Cross in your play calling sequence so defenses cannot sit on the dagger concept once they start keying the run fake.
