Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Read is a play-action deep shot out of Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex Wk that sells the run fake up front while attacking downfield with two vertical routes. The backside receiver runs a deep post that crosses the field while the front side X breaks outside on a deep out, and the inline TE/slot runs an out and up from the flex spot, giving you a vertical stretch on both sides. The single back stays in to fake the run action before checking release, and the underneath crosser on the near side gives you a shallow drag as a checkdown if the deep routes are covered. Primary read progression starts with the deep post over the middle, works to the deep out on the boundary, and comes down to the drag/checkdown against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap. If they bite hard on the run fake and drop late, the deep post window opens up big for a chunk gain. Check safety leverage pre-snap. Single high safety alignments are vulnerable to the deep out route on the boundary since the corner is often isolated with no deep help. Cover 3 zone defenses can be attacked with the deep post splitting the seams, but watch for a deep hook defender sitting in the throwing lane late in the concept. Man coverage with underneath linebackers spying the backfield can jump the drag route, so be ready to move to the deep out or post if you see a defender sitting on the shallow crosser. Blitz heavy defenses that bring extra rushers will struggle to get depth on the play fake, so look for the deep post to be open quickly before the pocket collapses.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs like 1st or 2nd and short to mid distance so the play fake actually threatens the defense and freezes linebackers.
Check the safety alignment before the snap. Two high safeties who stay deep on the play fake tell you to work the deep post since the middle will be occupied late.
If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, take the deep out to the flex TE early since it is a clean man beater against off coverage corners.
Hot route the shallow drag runner into a deeper crossing route if you are facing zone heavy defenses that sit in soft cover 3, since the drag can get swallowed underneath.
Pair PA Read with Inside Zone or Mtn Outside Zone earlier in the drive so the run fake actually sells to linebackers and safeties, then hit this play once they start creeping up to stop the run.
