Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Misdirection out of Singleback Deuce Close is a play-action shot play built off run-fake misdirection to hold the second level. The play-fake pulls linebackers up before the yellow TE releases on a deep corner-post from the slot and the outside TE runs a deep in that settles behind the second level, while the red X takes a deep post from the backside and the blue HB checks down on a flat route away from the fake. Primary progression starts with the backside post, works to the corner-post breaking route, and comes back to the HB flat as the checkdown if the play-action window closes.
Defensive Reads
Key the strong side linebacker and see if he steps up on the run fake, since a hard bite opens the underneath window for the deep in route. Watch the deep safety pre-snap, if he is aligned over the corner-post side and stays home post-snap this is a heavy Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell that limits the outside shot. Track the cornerback on the backside post, off man coverage or soft zone with no help behind him is the green light to push the ball deep on that route. Look for a lurking user linebacker sitting in the throwing lane of the deep in route, since that defender is designed to jump the intermediate crosser and bait a checkdown throw. Beware of overload blitzes from the play-action side, if extra rushers crash the fake immediately the play breaks down and the HB flat becomes the only quick answer.
Usage Tips
Run this after establishing HB Stretch or Inside Zone Split earlier in the drive so linebackers respect the run fake and bite on the misdirection action.
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to see if defenders flow hard to the fake side, since that confirms man coverage or an aggressive run blitz look.
Hot route the backside post into a deep out if you see a single high safety cheating toward the corner-post side, this keeps the field balanced against Cover 1 rotations.
Best called on second and medium to second and long where defenses expect run action off tendency, letting the play-action freeze linebackers for an extra beat.
Pair this with PA Boot Corner Post or PA Deep Cross in the same set to keep the defense guessing between boot action and this backside shot concept.
