Playbooks

PA Read

Play Action Pass Play Block and Release Corner Deep Cross Crosser Post

Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players

Player	Side	Route
HB1	Right	Pass Block
TE1	Right	Deep Corner
WR1	Left	Deep Post
WR2	Left	Deep Cross
TE2	Right	Block and Release Flat

Read progression

WR2 left, Deep Cross
TE1 right, Deep Corner
TE2 right, Block and Release Flat
WR1 left, Deep Post

Breakdown

PA Read is a play-action pass out of the Shotgun Wing Slot Offset set that puts three vertical stems on the field to attack downfield. Both outside receivers run go routes up the sideline while the inside slot receiver climbs a deep corner route out of the play-action fake, with a flat/drag route underneath crossing from the offset TE side to the boundary. This is a man beater designed to stress a single high safety, with the primary read starting on the deep corner route (the crossing red route) working to the field-side go route if the corner sits on the shorter route.

Defensive Reads

Identify the safety alignment before the snap, a single deep safety signals man or Cover 3 which this play is designed to attack. Watch the flow of the linebackers after the snap, if they bite hard on the run fake it opens up the deep corner route and the crossing route underneath. Key the cornerback over the deep corner route, if he sinks into a deep third zone drop instead of playing man that route will be covered and the quarterback should progress to the go routes. User-controlled defenders sitting in a deep middle lurk can jump the corner route, so the quarterback needs to reset to the backside go route if that user defender flashes late. This play struggles against two high safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4 since the deep routes run into help over the top, so check to a shorter route concept if you see split safeties pre-snap.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs after establishing the run game so the play-action freeze actually holds the linebackers and box safety.

Check pre-snap for single high safety looks like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since PA Read is built to exploit that middle-of-field-closed shell.

If the defense shows two high safeties pre-snap, consider hot routing the shallow crosser into a quick option route or checking to a different concept in the set like PA Slide.

Combine this call with Inside Zone or Duo earlier in a drive so the fake actually sells and linebackers bite on the run action.

Against man coverage, key the deep corner route first since it creates natural separation against trail technique, then work to either go route if the safety rotates over the top.