Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA HB Sneak is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Split Y Off with 21 personnel that sells the run fake before pushing three receivers vertically off the play fake. Off the play fake, two receivers on the left run deep crossers with one settling near the sideline while the other continues into a deep out breaking route, and the third receiver from the right runs a deep in that crosses the field, creating a heavy flood of the deep and intermediate zones on the backside. The primary read progression starts with the deep crosser coming from the right side working toward the middle of the field, then works back to the two routes stacking on the opposite hash, attacking any linebacker or safety who bites on the play fake.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth immediately after the snap, if they step up hard on the play fake it confirms man or zone underneath will be vacated for the crossers. Key the safety alignment pre snap, a single high safety alignment is a green light for the deep in route since it usually means the defense left the middle vulnerable to sell run support. Look for a user controlled defender sitting in a shallow zone or lurking near the crossing routes, since a smart user will rob the intermediate crosser and force you to hold the ball longer. Identify Cover 3 sky or buzz shells post snap by watching if the flat defender squats short, this play beats that look because the deep crosser will run past that zone into open grass. Beware disguised blitzes where the defense shows two deep safeties then rotates one down at the snap, since that leaves an extra rusher and can collapse the pocket before your deep routes develop.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the play fake animation out fully before scanning downfield so linebackers commit and open up the crossing lanes.
Use this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage when defenses are more likely to load the box expecting run.
If the defense shows single high safety pre snap, prioritize the deep in route crossing from the right since it will have room behind sagging linebackers.
Pair this play with Read Option or Inside Zone Split earlier in a drive so the defense respects the run fake and bites harder on the play action.
Hot route the shorter crosser into a deeper route if you see two high safeties bailing out before the snap, since that indicates a zone shell that needs more vertical stress.
