Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Read out of Shotgun Trey Open Offset shows a play-action pass with a run fake to the offset back before the QB works a three level progression to the trips side. The backside X runs a deep post while the play side stack releases into a deep out and a corner route, and the underneath receiver runs a shallow cross under the linebackers, giving you a true high low read against zone and a natural pick against man coverage. The primary progression starts with the corner route breaking to the flat, works back to the deep out sitting behind it, and comes down to the shallow crosser as the checkdown if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch for Cover 3 zone drops, since the corner route and deep out combo will stretch the flat defender and create a natural void for the deep out. If linebackers stay in run fits or bite hard on the play fake, the shallow cross will be wide open for an easy conversion throw. A user controlled safety sitting deep in the middle of the field can jump the deep out route, so check the middle of field high or low shell before committing to that throw. Man coverage with no safety help over the top gets beaten by the natural rub created by the stacked release at the top of the trips side. Disguised zone blitzes that bring extra rushers off the edge can disrupt the play fake timing, so identify overloaded fronts pre-snap and be ready to get the ball out quickly.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs when you want to sell run action, since the play fake to the offset back holds linebackers and opens throwing lanes underneath.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap: if you see two high safeties with the corner staying deep, throw the shallow cross quickly before the play fake fully develops.
Against single high looks, work the deep out first since the flat defender usually has to respect the corner route stretching the sideline.
Pair this with Read Option or HB Off Tackle earlier in a sequence so the defense keys run action off tendency, then punish overaggressive linebackers with this play action shot.
Hot route the shallow crosser into a deeper dig if you are facing a defense that sits its underneath zones shallow to bait the crosser.
