Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Boot Roll from Singleback Ace 12 personnel is a play-action rollout that sells the run fake to the backfield before rolling the quarterback out on a boot path, giving him a run-pass option with his legs. The tight ends work into the flat and intermediate crossers while a receiver clears vertically to hold the deep safety, creating a natural high-low read on the boot side. This is a zone beater at its core, exploiting flow-following linebackers and off-corners who bite on the run action, with the primary read progressing from the flat route to the underneath crosser and finally the checkdown or scramble if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flow of the linebackers immediately after the snap, since PA Boot Roll thrives when they crash down on the run fake and vacate the flat and shallow crossing lanes. Identify if the defense is in a Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shell pre-snap, as these shells are the most vulnerable to the boot concept because underneath defenders have to honor run responsibilities first. Key the edge defender on the boot side: if he stays home and does not chase the fake, he can contain the quarterback and force an early throw or a sack. Look for a user lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone where the crosser is designed to settle, since a smart user can jump the route and bait a pick six. Man coverage with a spy or blitzer off the edge shuts this down quickly, since the naked side has minimal blocking and the quarterback has to escape pressure rather than reset his feet to throw.
Usage Tips
Run this out of run-heavy personnel groupings on early downs like first and second and ten so the play fake actually influences linebacker flow and safety depth.
Check the middle of the field pre-snap: if you see two high safeties sitting deep, the boot flat and crosser combo will have room underneath since zone defenders have to respect the pass first.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or drag if you are facing man coverage on the boot side, since the naked rollout can get exposed if the edge defender does not bite on the fake.
Pair this play with HB Dive or Inside Zone earlier in a drive to condition the defense to respect the run fake, then call PA Boot Roll to cash in on aggressive linebacker flow.
Use play action stick and drift with the right stick on your primary flat defender after the snap to bait him out of his zone drop before you release the throw to the crosser.
Avoid calling this on third and long against a defense showing heavy blitz pre-snap, since the rollout mechanics limit protection and you can get flushed before routes develop.
