Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Mtn Slide is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Slot Left with 11 personnel that uses a run fake to hold the linebackers before attacking the intermediate and deep middle of the field. Off the play fake, the two inside receivers run a vertical seam and a corner route stacked on the left, the tight end works a slide/flat route across the formation as an underneath outlet, and the outside receiver on the right runs a corner route off a vertical stem. The primary read progression starts with the deep corner route on the right, works to the seam-to-corner stack on the left, and checks down to the tight end sliding across the middle as a zone beater against underneath defenders who bite on the run fake.
Defensive Reads
Read the safeties pre-snap, since two-high shells indicate Cover 2 or Cover 4 and suggest the corner routes will have to split the seams rather than sit in soft zones. Watch linebacker depth before the snap, as linebackers cheating up toward the line of scrimmage are vulnerable to the run fake and open up the slide route and seam route behind them. Key the cornerback leverage on the outside receiver running the corner route, since outside leverage invites the throw to the corner while inside leverage signals a possible flat or curl zone underneath. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest liability against this play, since the seam and corner routes can win one-on-one against linebackers or slower defensive backs in man. Watch for user-controlled defenders sitting in the intermediate throwing lanes (lurk technique), since a smart user can jump the slide route or the corner route if the quarterback stares down the read too long.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, since a defender running with the motion man confirms man coverage and opens up the corner routes against off coverage.
Sell the play fake by holding the ball on the fake for a beat, which freezes linebackers and creates the window for the slide route underneath and the seam route up top.
Attack Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with the outside corner route on the right, since it settles in the hole between the flat defender and deep third defender.
Use this play on early downs like first or second and medium to keep defenses honest against your run game, then pair it with HB Dive or Inside Zone Split to punish defenses that sell out to stop the play-action.
If the defense shows heavy blitz pre-snap, hot route the tight end into a quick option or use the slide route as a built-in hot read against pressure.
