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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Under is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Y Trips Wk that uses run fakes to hold the linebackers before attacking the middle of the field vertically. Off the trips side, the outside receiver runs a deep post while the underneath receiver runs a drag across the field, and the backside X runs a deep comeback, giving you a three level stretch from one formation. The primary read progression starts with the deep post as the shot play, works down to the crossing drag as the intermediate answer, and finishes with the backside comeback if the safety help rolls over the top.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the safety alignment first since two high shells give the post route the best chance to split coverage before rotation. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake the middle of the field opens immediately for the post and the drag underneath. User the deep safety in two high looks and force him to declare before breaking on either the post or the comeback, since he cannot cover both. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest liability against this call, the post will win against most man corners once the safety is manipulated by the play fake. Cover 3 with a deep middle robber can shut this down if the defender sits on the post route, so key whether the middle of the field defender bails deep or stays shallow to jump the drag.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the play action button through the fake before your first read, since linebacker bite on the run action is what opens the post window down the middle.
Use this on early downs in run heavy personnel counts (11 personnel) to keep the defense honest, especially after you have called Inside Zone or HB Base earlier in the drive from this same set.
If you see two high safeties pre-snap, key the post route first since it is designed to split the safeties before they can rotate down.
Against single high looks, be ready to check to the crossing drag or the backside comeback since the post will run into the deep safety.
Pair this call with Y Trail or Fl Dig later in the series once the defense starts jumping the drag route, forcing them to respect the play action fake all over again.
