Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Deep Choice runs out of Shotgun Slot Right with 11 personnel, using a play-action fake to sell run action before the QB works the pass concept. The diagram shows a backside vertical/go route on the far left receiver stretching the field alone, while the two right-side receivers run a choice route combo, with the inside receiver climbing straight up the seam and the outside receiver breaking off his vertical stem into a comeback or curl toward the sideline. This is a play-action deep shot designed to beat single-high and man coverage by forcing the defense to bite on the run fake and creating a two-way go on the boundary receiver's option route. Primary read progression starts with the backside go route for a big play if the corner bites on the run, then works to the choice route side, reading the seam runner first before settling to the option breaking route.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety depth pre-snap: a single high safety shading toward the choice route side signals Cover 1 or Cover 3, which opens up the backside go route for a one-on-one shot. Watch the flow of the linebackers after the play fake, since aggressive run defense linebackers vacating underneath zones create wide open windows for the seam and option routes. Identify if the cornerback on the isolated go route is playing off coverage or press, because press man with no safety help over the top gets beaten deep every time. Check for zone shells like Cover 4 or Cover 2 that keep two deep safeties, since that coverage limits the go route and forces you to rely on the option route breaking underneath the coverage. Key on user-controlled defenders lurking in the shallow zone or spying the play action fake, as a smart user defender can jump the option route if the quarterback stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or check the box count to confirm the defense is honoring the run fake, since this play only hits big if linebackers step up. Look for single-high safety shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3 before the snap, as the backside go route on the isolated receiver has a size or speed mismatch you can exploit. Hot route the underneath option runner to a hitch or sit route against soft zone if you see Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells rolling to that side. Call this play on second or third and medium when defenses expect run action, since the play fake sells better on early downs with a credible run threat. Pair this with HB Iso or Inside Zone Split earlier in a series to set up the same run fake tendency, then hit PA Deep Choice off that look to catch linebackers flowing downhill.
