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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Read out of Shotgun Tackle Over Trips is a play-action pass built off a run fake to hold the second level before the routes develop. To the trips side, the outside receiver runs a deep comeback while the middle slot works a quick out to the flat, and the backside single receiver runs a deep dig or crosser breaking away from the fake. This is a full-field play-action shot play designed to punish zone defenses that bite on the run action, with the primary read starting on the backside dig and working to the trips comeback if the middle of the field is capped.
Defensive Reads
Watch for safeties creeping down into the box pre-snap, since that signals man coverage or a run blitz that plays right into this play action concept. If you see a single high safety shell, the backside dig has room to work behind the linebackers before the safety can rotate over. Cover 3 zone defenses with linebackers stepping up on the run fake will leave a wide throwing lane for the dig route, so trust that read first. Watch for a hard corner blitz off the trips side, since the flat route is your answer against that pressure with a quick catch and run window. Man coverage with underneath lurk defenders can undercut the flat route, so key the flat defender's leverage before throwing that side of the concept.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like first or second and medium to keep the defense honest against the run fake from this heavy 11 personnel look.
Check the linebacker depth pre-snap, if they are sitting shallow expecting run action, this play action concept has a great chance to hit the backside dig behind them.
Hot route the flat route to a quicker option like a slant if you see a corner blitz coming off the trips side, since that route only has a short window against pressure.
Pair this with Inside Zone and HB Power O from the same formation so the defense has to respect the run fake every single snap, making the play action hold linebackers longer.
Use PA Read on second and long or in two minute situations when you need an explosive gain, since the deep comeback and dig combo attacks both zone and off man coverage vertically.
