Playbooks
PA Deep Choice out of Shotgun Wide Slot Right WK uses a play-action fake to sell run action before the QB works a choice route concept designed to attack deep zone coverage. The tight end and running back hold in to protect while the choice route receiver reads the defender and breaks against the grain of the coverage, making this a zone beater at its core with man coverage upside if the receiver wins his release. Primary progression starts with the choice route since it dictates based on coverage, then works to the deep outside shot before checking down if the play-action fake buys time.
Check safety depth before the snap, if both safeties sit at 10 to 12 yards in a two high shell the choice route has room to settle underneath before the deep half closes. Watch for linebackers spying the run fake, a hard step toward the line of scrimmage on the play-action means the middle of the field opens for the choice route to break inside. Identify man coverage by looking for a defender aligned tight and turning his hips with the slot receiver at the snap, this play struggles against press man with no natural rub since the choice route lacks a true pick element. Key on user-controlled safeties sitting in the deep middle, a Cover 3 buzz rotation or a robber technique from a user safety can jump the choice route if the QB stares it down too long. Beware disguised zone blitzes that bring a linebacker off the edge, since the extra protection is needed for the play-action fake, a fast interior pressure can collapse the pocket before the choice route fully develops.
Use this on early down and distance situations like first or second and short to sell the run fake convincingly since defenses respect play-action more when run tendencies are established. Look for two high safety shells pre-snap since the choice route is built to find soft spots between zone defenders in split safety looks. Motion the slot receiver pre-snap if available to identify man versus zone before the snap, this reveals whether the choice route will break to a hook or sit versus off coverage. Pair this call with Mtn RPO QB Power or Inside Zone Split earlier in a drive to set up the play-action fake, defenders keying run fits will bite on the mesh point and open up the choice route window. If the user drops a linebacker into the shallow hook zone, hold the ball an extra beat and let the choice route stem into the vacated area rather than forcing it early.