Playbooks

PA Sprint Slide

Singleback·Deuce Close·12
Play ActionSlidePass Play
Play diagram for PA Sprint Slide from Singleback Deuce Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

In 2 playbooks

Broncos OffenseOffenseNFL Live Broncos OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA Sprint Slide is a play-action sprint out concept from Singleback Deuce Close (12 personnel) designed to hit off run fake misdirection. The fullback or blocking TE runs a flat route to the sprint side, one TE breaks outside on an intermediate out while the backside TE crosses over the top on a deep post/corner, and the HB works a check release release into the boot flat area on the opposite side as the outlet. Post snap the QB rolls with the play fake, so this is a play-action sprint pass that stresses defenses horizontally and is built to beat man coverage by forcing defenders to run with crossers on the move while the QB has a defined progression: outside out route first, then the crossing deep route, and the flat release as the checkdown.

Defensive Reads

Diagnose the run fake fast by keying the defensive line and linebacker gap fits, disciplined defenders who stay home in zone kill the deep crossing route. Man coverage teams that flow their linebackers hard to stop the play action leave the crossing route wide open, so user the deep defender to stay in phase. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with safeties reading run keys are the biggest liability against this play since it opens throwing lanes over the middle. Watch for a spy or hook defender sitting in the shallow crossing lane, this can jump the underneath route if the QB does not sell the sprint action fully. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers to the sprint side can collapse the pocket quickly since the fullback and TE are both occupied blocking or releasing late, so time the pressure with the snap.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs or in play-action favorable counts like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short when defenses are geared to respect the run out of 12 personnel.

Read the flow of the linebackers at the snap, if they bite hard on the play fake the crossing route over the top will be wide open for a big gain.

Hot route the backside TE crosser into a deeper route against zone shells with two deep safeties to stretch the field vertically instead of settling underneath.

Pair this play with Inside Zone Split or HB Stretch earlier in a drive so the defense keys run action and the play fake actually holds linebackers.

Roll the QB fully to the play side with the sprint action to shrink the throwing window for user defenders and use the flat route as a quick answer against blitzes.

Other Plays in Deuce Close