Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action rollout out of Singleback Bunch Ace that pulls the quarterback to the right on a fake handoff before booting outside the pocket. Off the bunch, one receiver runs a deep corner route stemming from the top of the formation while a second receiver runs a deep crossing route underneath it going the opposite direction, and the backside X runs a shallow drag across the field as the checkdown. The offensive line slides to protect the boot, and the primary read progression is the deep corner first, then work back to the crossing route, with the drag underneath as the outlet if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Key the flow of the linebackers at the snap, if they crash hard on the play fake the crossing route and drag will be wide open behind them. Watch the boot side cornerback and safety leverage, aggressive corners jumping the flat will open the deep corner route over the top. Against man coverage, look for the crossing route to create natural traffic and separation as it works across the field away from its original defender. User a rover or lurk defender in the shallow zone underneath the crossing route to disrupt the quarterback's second read and force him to hold the ball longer during the boot. This play struggles against disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers at depth and against edge pressure that contains the boot lane, so a fast defensive end or outside linebacker setting the edge can collapse the pocket before routes develop.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a quick look at the safety alignment to confirm two-high versus single-high before the snap, since the boot action needs light backside pressure to fully hit. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 1 with a deep half rolled to the boot side, hot route the corner route to a deeper comeback or fade to stay away from the flat defender sinking underneath. Against Cover 2 or Cover 4, trust the crossing route sitting down behind the linebackers in the honey hole for an easy completion. This play pairs well with PA Boot and PA Boot Rt in your call sheet since the mirrored boot actions keep the defense guessing on protection direction and force linebackers to respect run action every snap. Best called on early downs or in run-heavy personnel packages (12 personnel) where defenses are more likely to bite on the play fake and vacate underneath zones.
