Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Slide is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Y Off Trips Wk that shows a run fake to the backfield before the QB works a full-field flood concept. Off the trips side, the outside receiver runs a deep corner up the sideline while the two inside slot routes stack a deep in and a shallow drag crossing underneath, and the backside X runs an underneath drag away from the fake. The RB stays in to help sell the play fake and check release into the flat, giving the QB a high low read on the trips side from the corner route down to the crossing routes, with the backside drag as an outlet if the safety jumps the flood.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing single high or two high safety look, since two high shells will squeeze the deep corner route and force the QB down to the crossers. Watch the linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake it confirms man or zone under coverage that leaves the shallow drag and dig wide open. Post-snap, key the flat defender and curl/flat zone player on the trips side, if they carry the corner route vertically the underneath crossing routes will have room to work. Beware defenses that show run blitz or crashing edge pressure, since the play fake can get blown up before the QB has time to climb the pocket and find his second read. User lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field are the biggest threat to the shallow drag and dig combo, so scan for a user dropping into that throwing lane before pulling the trigger.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in play action friendly counts like 1st and 10 or 2nd and medium where linebackers are more likely to bite on the run fake.
Read the flat defender and curl/flat zone defender first, if they widen with the corner route the underneath drag and dig combo will be sitting in soft grass.
Against man coverage, key the deep corner route as your first read since it stresses cornerbacks who have to turn and run without safety help over the top.
Pair this play with Inside Zone or HB Power O from the same formation so the run fake actually holds linebackers, then dial up PA Slide once the defense starts creeping the box.
If the defense shows two high safeties pre-snap, expect the corner route to be capped, so hot route your eyes to the intermediate crossing routes and drag underneath instead.
