Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Sneak Corner is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset that uses a quick QB sneak style fake to hold the front seven before the quarterback works to a deep corner route breaking outside. The diagram shows the outside receiver stemming vertically then breaking into a corner route as the primary read, with a receiver on the opposite side running a deep vertical to clear space and a shallow drag underneath crossing the field as a checkdown. The near slot receiver runs a short out to the flat, giving the quarterback a three level read from deep corner to underneath crosser to flat if the corner route is covered. This is a man beater built to attack outside corners and overaggressive linebackers who bite on the run fake.
Defensive Reads
Look for single high safety shells pre-snap, since a lone deep defender will struggle to cover both the corner route and the opposite vertical if you sell the run fake. Watch for cornerbacks playing hard outside leverage or press man, this tips a man coverage shell that the corner route is designed to beat with a clean vertical stem. Post-snap, track the flat defender or nickel corner, if he sinks under the corner route instead of jumping the flat, this signals zone coverage and you should look to the drag route working underneath. Identify linebackers keying the run fake, if they step up hard on the sneak action, the middle of the field opens for the drag route as a quick answer against blitz-heavy fronts. Beware two high safety shells with a hard flat defender, this combination takes away both the corner route and the flat option and forces you into the drag as your only real answer.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in second and short situations where the defense expects run based on the sneak style play-action fake.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see a single high safety shaded to the corner route side, this play is risky and you should consider the drag route instead.
Hot route the flat runner into a deeper option if you are seeing zone drops with linebackers sitting underneath, since the flat route can get swallowed by a sinking linebacker.
Pair this play with Mtn PA Y Cross or Mtn PA Double Posts in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the sneak fake and a full dropback shot play from the same personnel look.
Snap the ball quickly after the fake to protect against edge pressure, since the play design relies on the corner route developing before a blitzer beats outside protection.
