Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Seams is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex 11 personnel that puts four vertical stems on the field, three seam/go routes from the outside receivers and the running back fake, plus one deep in-breaking route (red) from the slot that cuts across the middle. The play-action fake from the shotgun mesh point holds the second level defenders just long enough to open throwing lanes up the seams, and this is a man beater against off coverage while also stressing single-high safeties who have to help over the top on multiple verticals. The primary read progression starts with the middle seam runner, then works to the red in-breaking route working across the field as the safety valve if the seams are capped.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety alignment before the snap, if the safety is shaded to one hash he can only help one seam, so target the opposite seam immediately. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the run fake and flow toward the box, the middle seam and the red in breaker will have wide throwing windows. Beware two high safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4, since both seams can get squeezed by deep safeties sitting on the numbers, which shuts this play down without a hot route adjustment. Key the flat and hook zone defenders after the fake, a user controlled linebacker sitting in a shallow zone can undercut the red crossing route if he reads the quarterback's eyes early. Watch for a nano blitz off the edge, since the play action mesh point takes extra time to sell, an unblocked defender crashing the fake can force an early, inaccurate throw.
Usage Tips
Check pre snap for single high safety looks like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since PA Seams thrives when there is only one deep defender who has to choose which seam to help on.
Sell the play action fake by not immediately flicking to pass, let the RB fake develop so linebackers step up and vacate the seam lanes.
Use this on early downs like first and ten or second and medium when defenses are more willing to bite on run action.
Hot route the backside seam into a skinny post if you see Cover 3 cornerbacks squatting hard on the numbers, this gives you a natural crosser away from the flow of the fake.
Pair this play with Y Cross or Inside Zone in your called sequence so the defense respects the run fake and the shallow crossing action, making the seam shots even more explosive later in a series.
