Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Boot is a play-action rollout out of the U Off Trips Wk Shotgun set that uses run fakes to freeze linebackers before the QB boots to the flank. The trips side runs a deep cross combo where the outer receiver runs a deep corner while the inner slot crosses underneath into a deep dig, creating natural picks against man coverage. On the backside, the single receiver settles into a shallow drag while the TE releases into an intermediate out that mirrors the QB rollout, giving him a built-in checkdown as the primary read on the move.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing single high safety since that usually means man coverage and the deep corner route can win vertically. Watch the flow of the linebackers after the snap. If they bite hard on the run fake, the drag and out routes underneath will be wide open in the flow of the boot. User the flat or curl/flat defender if you are on defense because that zone droppie sits right in the window of the TE out route and can jump the throw. Cover 3 zone shells with a hard-charging edge defender can blow up the boot path, so spy or contain the backside edge to take away the rollout entirely. Against Cover 2, key the deep safeties rotating to the trips side. If they stay flat-footed, the deep dig from the crossing slot receiver will settle into the seam behind them.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and short so the run fake actually holds the linebackers before you commit to the boot.
Check the safety alignment before the snap: if you see two high safeties sitting deep, the crossing routes underneath will have room to work against zone drops.
If you diagnose man coverage press before the snap, hot route the outer trips receiver to push his corner route deeper to stack the cornerback and win over the top.
Sequence this behind Inside Zone or HB Power from the same set so the play fake actually threatens the defense and linebackers step up instead of sitting in coverage.
Roll the QB with a purpose and get your eyes to the TE out route first since he sets up in rhythm with the boot before working back to the deep crossers.
