Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Slot Options is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Tight 11 personnel that shows a run fake to the backfield before the QB works a two-man read to the boundary side. Both the outside WR and the slot WR release vertically up the seam before breaking, with the outside receiver bending his route back to the post while the slot receiver holds the vertical stem as a clear-out or check-down threat underneath. The offensive line sells run blocking on the play fake, and the primary read progression starts with the post breaking route off play action, then works down to the vertical seam if the safety jumps the post.
Defensive Reads
Read the linebacker depth pre-snap. If they are sitting shallow to defend the run, the post route behind them will be wide open once the play fake sucks them up. Identify the safety shell before the snap. Single-high safeties must respect the run fake, giving the post route a bigger throwing window versus Cover 1 or Cover 3. Watch for a user-controlled safety sitting deep and reading the QB's eyes. A patient user lurker can undercut the post route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Key the slot defender's leverage after the snap. If he carries the vertical seam route with inside leverage, look immediately to the post since it is breaking away from that help. This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties, since both routes are funneling into the same deep zone and can be squeezed by underneath zone defenders and safety help over the top.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs (1st or 2nd and medium) when the defense is showing run support looks, since the play fake needs linebackers to bite for the post to open up.
Check the safety shell before the snap. Against single-high (Cover 3 or Cover 1) the post route has a strong window to split the safety and corner. Against two-high shells, be ready to check down to the vertical seam route instead.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick slant or drag if you see a hard blitz look, since the play fake holds your protection for an extra beat and you need a quick outlet.
Pair this call with HB Draw or Read Option from the same set to keep linebackers honest on run fits, then dial up PA Slot Options once they start flowing hard to stop the run.
Sequence this with PA Deep Post or PA Clear Cross later in a drive so the defense cannot key on the play fake shape and jump the post route.
