Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Boot is a play-action rollout out of Singleback Ace 12 personnel that pulls the quarterback to the right edge off a run fake, giving him a moving pocket and a clear throwing lane. The near TE runs a deep out that breaks toward the sideline as the boot outlet, the flat back releases underneath on a shallow drift route, and the backside TE/receiver clears vertically up the seam to hold the safety. The primary read progression starts with the deep out breaking to the flat, then works down to the underneath flat route if the corner sits on the out, with the vertical clearing route as a shot play if the safety bites on the run fake.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth: a single high safety cheating toward the boot side signals the defense is keying the play-action and will jump the deep out. Watch the flat defender or outside linebacker at the snap since a hard run-fit trigger to the line of scrimmage opens up both the out and the flat route underneath. Man coverage on the near TE is where this play hits hardest since the deep out creates natural separation off the boot action. Zone shells with a cornerback sinking under the out route and a linebacker spying the rollout lane can shut this down, forcing the quarterback into a scramble drill. Watch for a user-controlled defender flying downhill on contain since an aggressive edge rusher who reads the boot immediately can force an early throwaway or sack.
Usage Tips
Call PA Boot on early downs when the defense has shown run support or is stacking the box, since the run fake needs defenders flowing downhill to actually sell.
Roll out with the quarterback using the right stick to extend the play and buy time for the deep out to break open against man coverage.
If the corner squats on the out route, hot route the flat back into a quicker option or simply check down early since the flat defender is your leverage read.
Pair this with PA Boot Roll and PA Roll Rt in the same drive to keep defenders guessing on which direction the quarterback is rolling, then mix in HB Dive or 26 Duo to keep the run fake honest.
Best used on first or second down in the 3 to 7 yard range where defenses are still respecting the run and linebackers have not started sitting in passing lanes.
