Playbooks

PA Z-under

Shotgun·Spread·10
Play ActionPass PlayOutInPost CornerStreak
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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

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Breakdown

PA Z-under is a play-action pass out of the Shotgun Spread 10 personnel set that uses the run fake to hold linebackers and freeze the underneath defenders before the Z receiver works a shallow crossing route underneath the coverage. The blocking scheme sells an inside zone or stretch look up front to gain the play-action window, giving the quarterback time to work his half field read. This is primarily a zone beater because the Z-under route settles into the soft spot behind linebackers and in front of deep zone defenders, and the primary read progression starts with the play-action window, then the Z under route, and finally kicks out to a secondary route on the backside if the underneath area is clogged.

Defensive Reads

Watch the linebacker depth immediately after the snap, if they step up hard on the play fake the under route will be wide open in the vacated zone Identify single high safety shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1 pre snap since these are the most vulnerable to the play action hold and the shallow crossing route Look for a user controlled defender sitting in a lurk position over the middle of the field, this is the biggest threat to jump the under route and bait a turnover Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties tend to hold their underneath defenders more disciplined against the play fake, making this a tougher throw against those shells Key on blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since play action concepts are vulnerable to fast interior pressure that beats the run fake before the quarterback can climb the pocket

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage when defenses expect run and bite on the play fake

Check the middle of the field pre snap for a single high safety since that usually means linebackers will step up hard on the run action and open the under route

Motion or shift the backfield before the snap to bait linebackers into run fits and widen the throwing lane for the Z under route

Pair this call with 45 Quick Base or Inside Zone earlier in a drive so the defense respects the run fake and commits to it, making the play action window even bigger on this call

If the defense shows heavy blitz pressure off the edge, hot route the Z under route to a quicker breaking option or check it down to the flat to avoid holding the ball too long

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