Playbooks
PA Rollout out of Shotgun Duo Offset sells the inside zone run action before the quarterback rolls outside the pocket, giving him a run-pass option feel with his legs while attacking the flat and intermediate levels. The route concept typically features a flood to the rollout side: a flat route, an intermediate out or corner breaking to that same sideline, and a deep shot that clears out the top of the defense. This is a play-action man beater that also stresses zone defenses by flooding three levels to one side, and the primary read progression goes flat to intermediate to deep, with the quarterback's legs as the built-in checkdown if the rollout side gets taken away.
Identify single high versus two high safeties before the snap, since single high (Cover 1 or Cover 3) leaves the flood side more vulnerable to the intermediate out or corner route. Watch the flat defender's initial step after the snap: if he sinks with the run fake or bites on the play fake, the flat route is an easy pitch and catch for positive yardage. Key the play side outside linebacker or slot cornerback for a lurk drop into the intermediate zone, since a disciplined defender sitting in that window can jump the out route and create a turnover opportunity. Cover 3 with a hard-flowing linebacker to the play side is where this play thrives because it outnumbers the flat and curl defenders on that edge. Fire zone blitzes and Cover 4 match concepts with a deep half safety sinking over the top are the biggest threats, since they cancel the deep shot and rally numbers to the flood before the quarterback can escape the pocket.
Call this on early downs (first or second and short to medium) so the run fake from Duo Offset actually holds linebackers and safeties for a beat. Check the flat defender before the snap: if a cornerback or linebacker is sitting hard on the flat route, hot route your fullback or tight end on a quick out to occupy him and open the intermediate window. Roll fully to the play side with your quarterback instead of stepping up, since staying attached to the flood keeps all three route levels alive and gives you a clean throwing lane outside the tackle box. Pair this with Inside Zone and HB Punch earlier in a series so the linebackers start keying run fits, then hit PA Rollout to punish overaggressive flow to the play side. If the coverage rolls a safety hard to your rollout side pre-snap, counter with Slot Post or PA Wheelies on the following play to attack the vacated backside instead of forcing this concept into a stacked shell.