Playbooks
PA Dagger from the Shotgun Wing Slot Offset WK set is a play-action shot play built around the classic dagger concept: a deep vertical route clearing out the middle of the field while a dig or in route settles underneath it at intermediate depth. The play-action fake to the HB freezes linebackers and off-ball defenders, opening throwing lanes over the middle against both man and zone coverage. Primary read progression starts with the deep vertical shot to see if the safety bites on the play fake, then works down to the dig or crossing route sitting in the vacated middle zone if the top is capped.
Identify single high safety alignment pre-snap, since Cover 1 and Cover 3 are the most vulnerable shells to the deep vertical shot over the top. Watch the play side linebacker at the snap, if he steps up hard on the run fake it confirms the underneath dig or crossing window is open for the easy completion. Against Cover 2 or Cover 4, key the deep safeties immediately after the fake, if they stay high and never bite, abandon the vertical shot and go directly to the intermediate route. Beware user controlled defenders sitting in the deep middle third or lurking at the second level, since a smart user can rob the dig route and turn it into a pick six. Man coverage with no safety help over the top gets exposed on the vertical shot, but disciplined zone drops from linebackers who ignore the run fake can shrink the underneath window and force a checkdown.
Use this play on early downs or in second and short situations where run fakes are more believable and defenses are more likely to bite on the play-action.
Check pre-snap for single high safety looks like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since the deep vertical route has a strong chance to win over the top when there is only one deep defender.
If you see two safeties deep pre-snap, expect Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells, and shift your primary read to the underneath dig route working through the vacated middle hook zone.
Hot route the underneath receiver into a spot or sit route against zone heavy defenses to give yourself a rhythm throw if the play fake does not fully sell.
Pair this play with Bounce Inside Zone Lt or HB Draw earlier in a series to sell the run threat, then hit PA Dagger once the defense starts creeping linebackers into the box.