Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA X Clown is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Tight Slots that hits after a fake handoff to sell the run action. The backside outline runs a deep post that crosses the field, the frontside slot runs a deep dig that breaks back across the middle underneath the post, and both outside receivers run go routes up the boundaries to stretch the corners vertically. This is a man beater built to create natural traffic and picks over the middle while the dig gives you a settle option against zone drops, so the primary read progression starts with the post to the dig and then works out to the go routes if the safety shell rotates away from the crossers.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the run fake the dig route will sit wide open in the vacated middle zone. Identify safety rotation immediately after the snap, a single high safety cheating toward the post concept leaves the go route on the opposite side isolated. Look for user linebackers spying the crossing routes, if a defender sits in the passing lane between the post and dig you may need to hold the ball and let the go routes develop. Cover 3 with a hard flowing linebacker to the play fake is vulnerable since the deep middle gets stretched by both the post and the dig breaking into that same area. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge exploit this play because the deep routes take time to develop, so trust your protection or check the play fake if you see a heavy pre-snap blitz look.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs or second and short so the play fake actually threatens the defense and freezes linebackers.
Check pre-snap for two deep safeties, if you see a two high shell the dig sitting down in the void behind the linebackers is your fastest access throw.
Against single high shells, lean on the deep post since the crossing action with the dig tends to rub off man defenders and creates natural separation.
Use hot routes to convert one of the go routes into a comeback if you are facing press man corners who are playing outside leverage.
Pair this with Mtn PA Flood Under or PA Seam Stop in the same set so defenses cannot sit on the deep shot after seeing the run fake once or twice.
