Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Slide is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun in the Normal Y Off Wk set with 11 personnel. Off the play fake, the backside X runs a deep crossing route that stems from the far boundary all the way across the field, while the Y (slide TE) runs a vertical clear-out route up the seam from the same side, stacking the coverage vertically and horizontally. On the frontside, the outside receiver runs a deep comeback/curl breaking back toward the sideline, giving the quarterback a quick-hitting outlet if the deep shot is not there, and the HB stays in to help sell the run fake before checking out as a safety valve. This is a man beater built to exploit overaggressive linebackers biting on the play fake, with the deep cross as the primary read and the backside comeback as the secondary progression.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap. If they step up hard on the play fake, the deep cross should come open in the intermediate to deep middle of the field. Key the safety rotation post-snap. Cover 3 shells with a single high safety are vulnerable here because the deep cross can split the seams before the safety can rotate over. Against Cover 2 or Cover 4, the deep cross runs into extra defenders sitting in the deep half or quarters, so be ready to work the comeback route instead. Identify man coverage by watching cornerback alignment pre-snap. If the corner is playing tight man with no safety help over the top, the deep cross has a strong chance to separate on the crossing action. Be alert for user linebackers dropping into a lurk position over the middle. A good user player sitting in the shallow to intermediate zone can jump the deep cross route if the quarterback holds it too long. Blitz-heavy defenses with man coverage behind them are the biggest threat to this play since the fake will not hold long enough for the deep routes to develop before pressure arrives.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs (1st or 2nd and short to medium) when you have already established the run game, since the play fake needs defenders respecting the run to fully open the deep cross. Check safety depth pre-snap. If you see two deep safeties sitting at 10-12 yards, the window for the deep cross tightens, so be ready to check down to the comeback route instead. Against single-high looks, trust the play fake to hold the extra defender and let the deep cross develop. Hot route the HB into a flat route if you expect a blitz, giving yourself a quick answer versus pressure. Pair this with Inside Zone or HB Draw earlier in a drive to condition the defense to bite on run fakes, then dial up PA Slide once linebackers start creeping downhill. Combine with Double Slants or Curl Combo out of the same formation to keep the defense guessing between quick game and shot plays.
