Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA F Slide from Shotgun Split Twins is a play-action shot play built off a run fake to the backfield, using the fullback slide action underneath while sending four vertical stems into the secondary. The diagram shows the backside X running a deep corner/go route, the two inline receivers stacking a deep out and a comeback breaking outside, and a fullback sliding across the formation on the delayed release to the flat as the checkdown. Read progression starts with the deep comeback route working outside, then works down to the fullback slide in the flat if the play fake holds the linebackers and the underneath defenders bite on the run action.
Defensive Reads
Key the linebacker depth at the snap, if they stay shallow and read run fast this play struggles because underneath zones stay full. Watch the strong safety alignment before the snap, if he cheats down into the box this is a green light for the deep comeback and go routes behind him. Post snap, track any user linebacker spying the fullback slide route since a disciplined user defender sitting underneath kills the checkdown option. This play is vulnerable to Cover 4 quarters shells where both safeties stay deep and cornerbacks press, taking away both outside vertical breaks. Man coverage with no safety help over the top gets exposed by the corner and comeback double move against off man technique, so look for cornerbacks playing outside leverage pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake with your left stick before releasing into your route reads, since the play action window closes fast if the offensive line pass sets too early.
Use this on early downs like first and second and short to medium yardage when defenses are more likely to respect the run fake and bring linebackers up.
Check pre-snap for single high shells since the comeback route away from the safety is a strong window against Cover 3 and Cover 1 rotation.
Hot route the backside X into a quicker breaking route if you see Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells that take away the deep comeback with two deep safeties.
Pair this call with HB Off Tackle or Inside Zone Split earlier in a series to get linebackers flowing downhill, then hit them with this play action shot for explosive gains over the top.
