Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 17 playbooks
Breakdown
PA F Slide is a play-action passing concept out of Shotgun Split Close with 20 personnel that sells run action before the fullback slides across the formation into the flat. Off the fake, the backside receiver runs a deep out breaking toward the sideline while the two outside receivers stretch the field vertically, one on a deep post and the other on a corner route, creating a three-level clearout on one side. The primary read progression starts with the fullback slide route underneath as the checkdown, then works to the deep out, and finally up to the post or corner if the play-action freezes the safeties.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side safety at the snap, if he steps up on the run fake instead of staying deep, the post route behind him is your window. Read the flow of the linebackers, if they crash hard to the fullback's side on the run fake, the deep out and corner routes will have soft coverage underneath. Identify man versus zone by tracking the corner on the deep out route, if he turns and runs with the receiver instead of sinking into a zone drop, you are looking at man coverage and should trust the deep shots. Cover 3 with a hard-charging safety to the run side is where this play struggles most, since the deep middle stays protected and the out route sits in a defender's zone. Beware of a delayed blitz off the edge, since the fullback slide route eats up time and can leave the quarterback exposed if the offensive line does not pick up extra rushers.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in medium yardage situations where defenses are primed to bite on the run action, especially against teams that load the box in Split Close personnel.
Check for single-high safety looks pre-snap, since the play-action will hold that safety for a beat and open up the post route behind him.
If you see two deep safeties, key on the fullback slide and the underneath out route since the deep shots will be capped by the shell.
Hot route the backside slide receiver into a quick option or drag if you are facing an aggressive edge blitz that could beat your play-action fake.
Pair this call with FB Inside or HB Power O earlier in a series so the run action on PA F Slide actually holds linebackers and safeties instead of getting sniffed out.
