Playbooks
Breakdown
PA WR In runs out of Shotgun Trey Open with 11 personnel, using a play-action fake to sell the run before working a three man route combo. The backside X runs a quick out breaking to the sideline while the two receivers to the trey side attack downfield: the inside slot pushes vertical then breaks hard into a deep in route across the middle, and the outside receiver runs a corner route stemming to the boundary at depth. The primary read starts with the deep in route crossing the field since it is the namesake concept and the built in man beater against off coverage, then progresses to the corner route if a safety rotates over the middle, with the backside out as the quick outlet against a hard blitz.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap. If they step up hard on the play action fake, the middle of the field opens instantly for the deep in route. Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap, since this determines whether the in route or the corner route is the better shot. Beware of a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, as this can jump the in route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender can undercut the backside out route, so know the sideline defender's depth before checking down. Against man coverage with no safety help over the top, the corner route wins on a well timed throw since it attacks the sideline before help can rotate over.
Usage Tips
Sell the play action fake fully before releasing into your drop, since defenders keying run flow will bite and open the deep in route for an easy completion.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap. Against a two high shell, target the in route as it settles into the vacated middle zone. Against single high, look to the corner route to attack the void left by the deep half safety.
Use this as a play action shot play on early downs like first and ten or second and short when defenses are more likely to load the box for run support.
Hot route the backside out receiver into a deeper comeback if you face a corner playing a soft outside shade, giving you a second window against zone drops.
Pair this with Inside Zone or HB Off Tackle earlier in a drive to condition the defense to bite on run action, then dial up PA WR In to hit the in route against overaggressive linebackers.
