Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Deep Out is a play-action shot play out of Singleback Bunch X Nasty that hits off a run fake to freeze linebackers before the QB works the perimeter. Off the bunch, one receiver runs a deep out that breaks hard to the sideline while the middle bunch receiver climbs vertically up the seam, and the third receiver runs a quick out and up to the flat before sitting at the sticks. The primary read starts with the deep out breaking to the boundary, then progresses to the vertical seam route if the corner jumps the out, making this a man beater that punishes aggressive underneath coverage and off man technique.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side corner pre-snap, if he is in off man coverage with outside leverage the deep out will have a tough window, but tight or inside leverage opens the sideline throw. Key the linebackers at the snap, if they bite hard on the run fake and vacate the middle the vertical seam route becomes wide open behind them. Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap, single high means the safety can help over the top on the seam route while two high leaves more space underneath for the out. Look for a flat defender or nickel corner sitting on the shallow route, this indicates zone coverage and tells the QB to work the deep out and seam combo instead of the checkdown. Watch for a blitz off the edge since the play fake can hold up protection, but a fast interior blitz can disrupt the timing before the deep out fully develops.
Usage Tips
Use this on second or third and medium when defenses are more willing to bite on the play fake, since the run action needs linebackers to step up to be effective.
Check the corner alignment before the snap, if you see press man or a corner cheating inside for run support this deep out will win outside every time.
Hot route the flat runner into a quick option or shallow drag if the defense shows zone with a linebacker sitting underneath, since the shorter route can become a checkdown against zone drops.
Pair this with PA Post Dig or PA Cross earlier in a series so defenders start respecting the play fake and bite harder on the run action, opening up the deep out and seam combo.
Avoid calling this on third and long against zone heavy defenses since the seam route is the only real answer to a deep zone shell and the out route will get squeezed by a flat defender.
