Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Draw Shot from Singleback Bunch TE shows a play-action fake that opens up a delayed handoff to the HB behind a shot play shell of deep routes. Out of the bunch, the vertical stem breaks into a corner route while a shallow drag crosses underneath, and the backside single receiver runs a deep post to stress the far safety, all designed to hold the linebackers and secondary before the draw hits the interior gap. The primary read progression is the draw itself first, since the play action freezes the front seven, then if the run lanes are clogged you peek to the deep shot routes on the bunch side for an explosive play over the top.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebacker depth at the snap, if they crash hard on the play action fake the draw lane opens up immediately behind them. Identify single high safety shells pre-snap since that alignment leaves the deep corner and post routes on an island against man coverage. Post-snap, key the Mike linebacker's first step, if he sits and reads instead of biting on the fake he can blow up the draw before it develops. Look for user-controlled defenders spying the backfield, since a disciplined spy or lurking linebacker can jump the draw or undercut the drag route. Zone coverage shells with underneath defenders sinking into passing lanes can take away the shallow crosser, forcing the offense to rely on the draw hitting clean.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs like first and ten or second and short so the defense respects the run action and bites on the fake.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two deep safeties sitting back the draw lane will be softer since linebackers have to respect pass drops.
Against single high looks with an aggressive Mike linebacker, hot route the drag into a quick option to give yourself an outlet if the draw lane gets clogged.
Pair this with Inside Zone or Zone Fake Jet earlier in a drive so the defense keys run action and commits linebackers downhill, making the draw and shot routes more effective later.
Use play action shot plays like this sparingly and mix in Stick or Spacing on early downs to keep linebacker eyes honest and prevent defenders from sitting on the draw.
