Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA LT Sneak is a play-action pass out of Singleback Ace Overload with 11 personnel that uses a play-action fake to the left to hold linebackers before attacking vertically. The backside receiver runs a corner route breaking off a quick out stem, the isolated receiver on the play side runs a straight vertical seam, and the tight end or slot man releases on a shallow drag underneath as a checkdown against blitz. The primary read progression starts with the vertical seam route on the play side, works to the corner breaking route on the backside if the seam is capped, and dumps to the underneath drag as the last resort against pressure or a jumped route combo.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment, since a two high shell signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 which forces the seam route into a tighter window between the corner and safety. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the fake the seam route will be wide open behind them against man or zone drops. Key the flat defender or curl to flat player on the backside, if he sinks with the corner route the underneath drag becomes the answer against a sped up pass rush. User the deep middle safety in Cover 1 or Cover 3 looks to take away the seam throw, since that is the primary read defenders must eliminate first. Bring interior pressure or a nano blitz up the middle to disrupt the play-action fake and collapse the pocket before the seam route develops downfield.
Usage Tips
Sell the play-action fake fully before climbing the pocket, since linebackers biting on the run action opens up the vertical seam immediately.
Use this against single high shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3 where the seam route can split the difference between the flat defender and the deep safety.
If the corner shows soft outside leverage pre-snap, hot route the corner route into a deep out to attack the sideline against off man coverage.
Pair this play with HB Stretch or 0 1 Trap earlier in a series so the run action from Ace Overload sets up the play-action fake and linebackers start cheating downhill.
Call this on early downs or manageable third downs when the defense is expecting run tendencies from the formation, since the play-action freeze is more effective when the run threat is credible.
