Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action bootleg concept out of Singleback Bunch X Nasty that pulls the quarterback to the right off run-fake action while the offensive line slides protection to seal the edge. From the bunch alignment, two receivers push vertical up the field on crossing paths (one clearing out deep left, one working an intermediate drag underneath to the left), while the third bunch receiver runs a corner breaking route up the boot side sideline. The backside route shows an in-breaking cross underneath from the X. This is a play-action man beater designed to hit the corner route on the boot side first, working back to the shallow crosser as the QB rolls, with the deep clearing route as a home run shot against busted man coverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing man or zone match based on corner alignment on the bunch receivers, tight press man coverage is where this play hits hardest with the corner route. Watch for a single high safety rotating late, since that often signals man coverage underneath and opens up the boot side corner route against a trailing defender. Post-snap, key the flow of the linebackers, if they bite hard on the run fake and flow toward the play side, the shallow drag route will be wide open behind them. Beware of a scraping edge defender or contain player who stays home on the boot side, since that defender can force the QB to eat pressure or throw early off his path. Zone blitz calls or fire zone pressure from the boot side are the biggest threat, since a user-controlled defender dropping into the flat can undercut both the corner and drag routes and force a checkdown or sack.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs, first or second and medium, when you have already established the run game from Singleback Bunch X Nasty to sell the play-action fake. Check the safety depth pre-snap: if both safeties are sitting shallow or you see man coverage indicators like press corners on the bunch, the corner route to the boot side is your first read and should win over the top. If the defense shows two-high shell, work the shallow drag as your safety valve since the deep shot will likely be capped. Use your right stick to slide protection awareness and be ready to throw off platform on the run since this play asks the QB to roll away from the pocket. Pair this play in sequence with Inside Zone Split or HB Dive from the same set to keep linebackers honest on run keys, then dial up PA Boot Slide once they start crashing downhill. Avoid calling this against heavy blitz packages unless you have a hot route built in, since the boot action takes extra time to develop and puts the QB on the move outside the pocket.
