Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Bubble Y Over is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Wing Slot Wk that sells run action to the flat while pushing a deep over route across the field. The Y (tight end) runs a deep crossing route from the backside all the way to the far sideline, the outside receiver on that side stems a corner/vertical to clear the top of the coverage, and the play side receiver runs a short bubble/flat route underneath. The primary read is the deep over from the Y tight end working across the field, and if that window is closed, the QB can check down to the bubble route in the flat. This is a play-action, man-beater concept designed to punish linebackers and safeties who bite on the run fake.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two deep safety shells, this play is most dangerous against single high man coverage since the deep over has fewer defenders to clear. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the play-action fake, the deep over from the Y will sit in soft grass behind them. Post-snap, track the flow of the middle linebacker in man coverage, if he bites on the run fake and gets caught flat footed, the crossing tight end is wide open. Cover 3 with a hard lurking flat defender can jump the bubble route and force the QB to hold the ball longer, so know your checkdown timing. Against Cover 2 or Cover 4 with disciplined deep safeties who do not bite on the fake, the vertical clear out route and deep over will be squeezed, forcing an early checkdown to the bubble.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in run-heavy personnel situations where the defense expects Inside Zone or the read option looks from this same formation, since the play-action fake plays off those tendencies.
Check the pre-snap alignment of the second level defenders, if linebackers are stacked tight to the line expecting run support, the deep over from the Y will have room to work behind them.
Hot route the corner route runner to a hitch or drag if you see two deep safeties staying home, since that tells you the defense is sitting on the play-action and the deep shots will be covered.
Pair this call with RPO Read Bubble and RPO Zone Read Bubble earlier in a series so the defense keys on the bubble action, then hit them with the deep over off the same picture for a explosive gain.
Best used on second and medium or third and short distances where defenses are more likely to bring downhill run fits, giving the play-action fake maximum credibility.
