Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Counter out of Singleback Bunch X Nasty sells the counter run action to the play side before the QB pulls it back for a play-action pass shot. Off the fake, the backside receiver runs a deep corner route while the middle bunch receiver breaks off a deep crosser over the top of the linebackers, and the flat route from the bunch stretches the underneath zone horizontally. This is a play-action shot play built to beat man coverage on the crossing route and to attack single-high shells with the deep corner, with the primary read progression starting on the deep crosser working to the corner route, then working down to the flat as a checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing a single high safety or two high shell, since this determines whether the corner route or the deep crosser is your primary target. Watch linebacker depth before the snap; if they are sitting shallow anticipating run support, the counter fake will hold them longer and open the crosser behind them. Post-snap, key the flat defender and any user-controlled linebacker sitting in the shallow zone, since a lurking defender can jump the flat route or undercut the crosser if the QB stares it down too long. This play beats man coverage because the deep crosser creates natural separation crossing the field, but it struggles against disciplined zone drops like Tampa 2 where a deep middle defender can sit on crossing routes. Watch for edge blitzes off the counter side, since the play action fake can get the QB flushed off his spot if the defense diagnoses run and attacks the mesh point.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short so the counter fake actually threatens the defense and freezes linebackers. Check the safety alignment pre-snap: if you see two high safeties, look immediately to the deep crosser since the corner route will likely be capped by the deep half defender. If it is single high, the backside corner route is your money throw against a lone deep defender. Use hot routes to convert the flat route into a quick out or speed out if you diagnose a hard blitz, giving the QB an instant answer versus pressure. Pair this play in your call sheet with PA Boot and PA Cross from the same set so the defense cannot key on counter action alone, then mix in HB Dive or Inside Zone Split to keep linebackers honest against the run fake. Avoid calling this on 3rd and long since the deep routes take time to develop and the play action fake becomes wasted against pattern-matching zone defenses expecting pass.
