Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Pack Seams runs a play-action fake out of Shotgun Normal Flex Wing to hold linebackers before releasing three vertical seam and go routes. The two outside receivers push straight up the field on go routes while the inside receiver breaks vertically then angles slightly inward on a seam, and the in-line target runs a seam breaking outward toward the sideline off the play fake. This is a man beater designed to attack single high safety looks and exploit linebackers biting on the run fake, with the primary read progression working from the outside go route to the inside seam and finally to the shallow crossing seam if the deep shots are covered.
Defensive Reads
Attack single high safety shells like Cover 1 and Cover 3 since the three vertical stems overload one deep defender. Watch for Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties, which can bracket the outside go routes and force you into the shallow seam read. Key the middle linebacker or Sam linebacker at the snap, if they sit and stay disciplined in their zone drop the play-action fake will not open the underneath seam. Identify blitz packages pre-snap by checking for stacked or crashing defensive ends and safeties creeping into the box, since a hot blitz can beat the play-action fake before routes develop. Be alert for a user-controlled defender spying the seam or sitting in a hook zone lurking for the shallow crosser, as this is the most common way defenses take away the checkdown option on this concept.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for single high safety alignment since this play thrives against one deep defender who cannot cover three vertical stems.
Look at linebacker depth before the snap, if they are creeping up expecting run the play-action freeze will open up the seams even wider.
Hot route the shallow seam runner into a deeper corner or post if you see a hard cloud or trap corner sitting on the outside go route.
Use this on early downs like first or second and short to mid distance where defenses respect the run fake, then pair it with HB Power or HB Dive from the same set to keep defenses honest.
Sequence this play after a few called HB Dive or HB Power runs so linebackers start selling hard on run fakes, making the seam windows even bigger on PA Pack Seams.
