Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Read out of Shotgun Trey Open is a play-action shot built off run fake to hold linebackers before working three levels of the field. The backside X runs a deep corner route while the three receivers to the trips side run a stack of crossers, with the closest slot man running a shallow drag underneath, the middle receiver breaking into a deep cross, and the outside receiver running a shorter comeback style cross into the void. Blocking on the play action fake ties up the front seven just long enough for these routes to develop, making this both a man beater on the crossing traffic and a zone beater if the corner route holds the deep half safety. The primary read progression starts with the deep corner route on a single high shell, then works down to the crossing routes underneath if the safety stays over the top.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment since this determines whether the corner route or the crossing combo is the better answer. Watch cornerback depth on the backside X, a corner playing off coverage invites an easy completion on the corner route, while a corner playing tight press can jump the route if the safety help rotates over. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker and any user controlled defender dropping into the shallow cross lane, since a lurking defender sitting on the drag can bait a turnover if the quarterback stares it down too long. This play struggles against zone blitzes that get quick pressure before the play action fake fully develops, since the extended drop time needed for the deep corner route becomes a liability. Man coverage with no help over the top on the X receiver is the easiest coverage to exploit here, but disciplined Tampa 2 or Cover 4 shells that keep a safety deep can shut down the corner route and force checkdowns underneath.
Usage Tips
Use this in early down situations, especially second and short to medium, where the play fake actually threatens defenders selling run support.
Check the middle of the field pre-snap, if you see a single high safety cheat your eyes to the corner route on the backside X since that route wins one on one against a rotated corner.
If the defense shows two high shell, expect the corner route to be taken away, so plan to work the crossing combo underneath instead, leading with the shallow drag against man coverage and the deeper cross against zone drops.
Pair this play with Curls X Go or Y Cross Flood earlier in a series to condition the defense to sit on quick game, then hit them with the play action shot when they bite on run action or jump underneath throws.
Avoid calling this on third and long against a defense that is clearly dropping into zone coverage without run respect, since the play action fake will not hold linebackers or safeties in those situations.
