Playbooks

Reload PA Deep Sail

Shotgun·Normal Y Off Close·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 6 playbooks

Dolphins OffenseOffenseFalcons OffenseOffenseRavens OffenseOffenseNFL Live Dolphins OffenseOffenseNFL Live Falcons OffenseOffenseNFL Live Ravens OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Reload PA Deep Sail is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun 11 personnel designed to hit the deep middle and sideline off run fake pressure. The play-action fake from Reload freezes linebackers and safeties on the run look, opening up a sail combo that stretches the field vertically on one side while a shallow crosser and check down give underneath answers. Primary read progression goes deep sideline first for the sail route against off coverage or a blown zone assignment, then works down to the intermediate breaking route and finally the check down against a hard sell on the fake.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high safety alignment pre-snap, this play is built to punish Cover 3 and Cover 1 defenders who bite on the run fake. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard to defend the run action the sail and crossing routes will have easy throwing lanes underneath and over the top. Post snap, track the flat defender and corner leverage on the sail side, a corner playing too far inside leaves the sideline route wide open for a back shoulder throw. Beware of two high safety shells with disciplined deep zone drops, this coverage can sit on the sail route and force you to the shallow crosser or check down. Watch for user controlled defenders sitting in the intermediate passing window, a smart user will abandon run fill duties to jump the crossing route, so have your check down option ready as a bailout.

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs or in second and short situations where the play-action fake carries maximum credibility against run heavy defensive fronts.

Check safety depth before the snap, if you see a single high safety cheating toward the boundary the sail route has a clean deep shot to the opposite hash.

Use max protect or a chip hot route on the running back if you anticipate a four man rush with an extra pass rusher off the edge, this play takes time to develop.

Pair this with Reload RPO Zone Snag or Reload Quick HB Trail earlier in a series so the defense respects the same backfield action and bites harder on the fake when you finally pull the trigger downfield.

Avoid throwing into the deep route against two high shells unless you see a clear post snap rotation, the underdeveloped middle read against zone drops can bait a user controlled lurk defender into a jump.

Other Plays in Normal Y Off Close