Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Boot Lt is a play-action rollout out of Singleback Ace Double Wing that pulls the QB left off a fake handoff for a moving pocket. The backside receiver runs a deep crosser breaking left across the field as the clear-out, the outside receiver on the boot side runs a shallow drag that settles underneath, and the wing runs a deep comeback breaking back toward the sideline while the other wing releases into the flat as the checkdown. Read progression starts with the comeback route, works down to the deep crosser sneaking across the middle, then settles on the flat route as the emergency valve if the pocket collapses on the roll.
Defensive Reads
Watch the strong safety depth pre-snap: a shallow safety who bites on the run fake leaves the comeback route wide open on the perimeter. Identify the flat defender's assignment before the snap, since a linebacker in man coverage will struggle to stay with the drag route working underneath. Post-snap, track the backside linebacker's pursuit angle on the run fake, if he commits hard downhill the deep crosser has a clean lane across the middle. Zone shells with a curl-flat defender sitting outside can jump the shallow drag, so be ready to reset to the comeback if that flat zone widens. User-controlled defenders spying the QB rollout can bait a throw, so hold the ball an extra beat if you see a defender crashing the boot side before committing to a receiver.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs or in run-heavy personnel counts to sell the play fake and freeze linebackers who are keying run fits.
Check the flat defender pre-snap: if he widens with the wing releasing outside, the shallow drag underneath should be wide open on the boot side.
Against man coverage, the deep crosser is your best man beater since it forces a corner to run through traffic across the formation.
Roll the QB with a purpose and use the rollout mechanic to extend the play if the comeback route is covered, since the boot buys extra time against edge pressure.
Pair this with straight HB Dive or HB Zone Wk out of the same formation to keep the defense honest on the run fake before dialing up the boot later in the series.
