Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Boot Left is a play-action rollout out of Singleback Ace 12 personnel that pulls the QB left off a run fake. The X receiver runs a deep comeback breaking back toward the sideline, the TE from the backside runs a deep crosser that clears out to the far side of the field, the inline TE releases into a shallow drag that stems into an out route in the flat, and the RB cuts across the formation on a shallow drag underneath to give the QB a checkdown while he rolls out. This is a man beater that stresses flow defenders and linebackers on the boot, with the primary read progressing from the flat route to the deep crosser and then to the RB drag as the outlet.
Defensive Reads
Check the strong safety alignment pre-snap, if he is sitting flat footed near the line he is likely reading run and susceptible to the boot Watch for cover 3 buzz rotation, since the flat defender flowing hard with the boot can take away the flat route and force you to the crosser Man coverage with no safety help over the top on the crosser is where this play wins big, look for the backside corner turning his hips too early Identify blitz packages that send extra rushers from the play side, since a fast edge pressure can disrupt the timing of the rollout before routes develop If the middle linebacker sits and reads the RB out of the backfield instead of flowing with the boot, the drag route will be taken away and you must climb the pocket to the deep crosser
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs to keep the play-action threat credible and sell the run fake by not spamming it back to back
Look for linebackers cheating up pre-snap since the run fake and rollout action punishes overly aggressive front seven alignments
Hot route the deep crosser into a sit route against zone shells if the flow defender is sinking too deep, this turns it into an instant zone beater
Pair this with HB Stretch or PA Boot Roll from the same set so the run action and boot action look identical pre-snap, keeping defenders guessing
On third and medium, trust the RB drag as your safety valve if the initial flat and crosser reads are covered
