Playbooks

PA Rollout Smash

Shotgun·Duo Slot Open·20
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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

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Breakdown

PA Rollout Smash is a play-action rollout concept out of Shotgun Duo Slot Open that pairs a smash route combo (hard corner route over a low flat/hitch) to the rollout side with the quarterback booting out of the pocket. The run fake from the running back sells the Duo action, holding linebackers and safeties for a beat while the QB rolls to create a flat throwing platform and shrink the field to a high low read. Against man coverage the corner route wins on the sideline, while zone shells funnel the QB to the underneath flat or hitch as the outlet. Primary read progression is the corner route first for the big play, then work down to the flat or shorter route as the throw window closes on the roll.

Defensive Reads

Identify pre-snap whether the defense is showing two high or single high, single high alignments often mean the corner route has less deep help and is more likely to win. Watch the flat defender and outside linebacker on the rollout side after the snap, if they sink too deep chasing the corner route the underneath flat becomes wide open for an easy pitch and catch. Beware of contain blitzes or edge pressure from the rollout side, defenses that send a corner blitz or outside linebacker off the edge can force a bad throw or sack before the QB sets his feet. Look for cornerbacks playing hard outside leverage in man coverage, this tells you the corner route has a clean release and should be your first read. Zone defenses that roll a safety down to the flat or use a robber technique in the middle of the field can jump the shorter route, so be ready to layer the throw over the top if you see this rotation.

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs or second and medium to keep run and pass honesty since the play-action fake carries more weight when defenses respect Inside Zone and Speed Option from this same set.

Check the play side safety before the snap, if he is sitting deep in the rollout direction the corner route will be tougher to complete, so be ready to work the underneath flat route quickly.

Use the rollout to escape interior pressure, this play is a good answer against defenses that are teeing off with inside blitzes since the QB naturally moves away from the point of attack.

Sequence this with PA Rollout and PA Rollout Out-N-Up to keep the defense guessing on the rollout side, then mix in RPO Alert Bubble or RPO Read HB Flat to slow down aggressive linebacker flow before coming back to Smash for the corner shot.

Hot route the backside receiver into a quick drag or slant if you expect a blitz, giving the QB a fast checkdown if he cannot set his feet on the roll.

Other Plays in Duo Slot Open