Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Slide Y Screen is a play-action screen out of Singleback Deuce Close 12 personnel that sells the run fake while sliding protection to set up a Y screen underneath. The three receivers to the top run a clear-out combo (deep vertical, deep in, and a comeback/stop route) to drag coverage away from the middle of the field, while the offensive line slides right and the fullback or Y releases as the checkdown screen in the shallow flat area behind the line. The primary read is the Y screen first, since the linemen sliding and the receivers vacating the underside creates a numbers advantage in space, with the deep routes serving as the secondary read only if the screen is jumped by an aggressive linebacker.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they crash hard downhill on the run fake, the screen lane opens instantly. Identify zone versus man pre-snap by checking corner alignment on the top three receivers, off coverage suggests zone drops that vacate the screen area. Post-snap, track any user-controlled defender staying home in the shallow flat, since that lurk defender can jump the Y screen and turn it into a pick-six. Look for a delayed blitz or a linebacker spying the fullback release, this is the primary counter that shuts the screen down before it develops. If the defense is in Cover 2 or Cover 4 with safeties sitting deep, the underneath defenders often have more freedom to sit on screens, so be ready to check to the deep comeback route instead.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or in obvious run situations when linebackers are keying run fits and biting on the play-action mesh point.
Check pre-snap for Cover 3 or Cover 1 shells where the underneath defenders flow hard to the play side, since the slide protection screen exploits linebackers who overrun the fake.
If the defense shows a heavy blitz look, hot route the fullback or Y into the screen immediately and get the ball out before the slide protection collapses.
Pair this call with Inside Zone Split or HB Stretch earlier in a drive so the defense respects the run action and linebackers commit harder to the fake on this rep.
Avoid calling this against teams that consistently spy or key the screen with a linebacker, since a disciplined defender sitting on the route can blow it up for a loss.
