Playbooks
Breakdown
PA Deep In from Singleback Ace 12 personnel opens with a play-action fake that holds the linebackers before the routes develop. The backside TE runs a deep in route across the middle of the field as the primary target, while the outside receiver on that side clears vertically to hold the safety and open the throwing lane underneath him. On the strong side the slot TE runs a corner breaking route to occupy the flat and deep quarter defender, and the RB checks down into the shallow flat after selling the run fake, giving the quarterback a built in outlet if the deep in is not open. This is a play-action man and zone beater designed to attack linebackers who bite on the run fake, with the deep in route as the clear first read and the RB flat route as the checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is in a single high shell or two deep safety look, since single high leaves the deep in route more vulnerable to a big completion over the middle. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they crash hard on the run fake the middle of the field opens up for the deep in route and you must user a linebacker to sink into that throwing lane. Key the flat defender on the strong side, if he sits on the RB checkdown route the slot TE corner route becomes a bigger threat, so a user controlled defender should be ready to zone drop into that area. This play struggles against zone coverages with a robber or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, since that defender can jump the deep in route if the quarterback stares it down. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the easiest look to exploit, but disciplined defenses that stay home on play-action and get a spy or contain defender on the underneath crossers can force a checkdown or throwaway.
Usage Tips
Sell the play-action fake by holding the analog stick or letting the animation play out fully, since linebackers that bite on the run fake open a huge throwing window for the deep in route.
Use this on early downs like first and second and short to medium yardage when defenses are more likely to respect the run fake and play linebackers closer to the box.
If the defense shows two deep safeties pre-snap, hot route the corner route on the slot TE into a deep out or seam to stress the safety rotating over the top.
Pair this play in a sequence with 26 Duo or HB Stretch out of the same Singleback Ace look so the defense has to respect the run action, then come back with PA Deep In once linebackers start jumping the run fake.
Against man coverage, look immediately for the deep in route working across the field since it creates natural separation against trailing defenders, and use the RB flat route as a quick answer versus blitz looks.
