Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Sprint Slide is a play-action sprint out concept from Singleback Deuce Close 12 personnel that boots the quarterback to the right off a run fake. The backside TE runs a deep crosser that stretches all the way across the field, the frontside TE releases into a corner route breaking outside, and the slot TE runs a short crossing route underneath that settles into the flat area vacated by the run fake. The HB stays in as a check release blocker before leaking out to the flat as a safety valve underneath the sprint out action. This is a play-action man beater built around the sprint boot, with the primary read starting on the deep crosser for a big play shot, then working down to the corner route, and finally checking down to the HB leak in the flat if the pocket collapses or the deep options are covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a single high safety rotating late, which tells you Cover 3 or Cover 1 man is likely and the deep crosser will have room to work against zone drops or a trailing man defender. Key the flow of the linebackers at the snap, since heavy run blitz linebacker fits mean the play-action fake will freeze them just long enough to open the crossing routes. Identify any user controlled defender spying the quarterback on the sprint out side, because that defender can jump the corner route or the HB leak if he reads the boot quickly. Look for two deep safeties pre-snap, which signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 and puts more pressure on the corner route sitting underneath the deep half defender rather than testing the crosser deep. Nano blitzes or edge pressure from the boot side defensive end can disrupt the sprint out timing before the quarterback can climb the pocket, so check if that edge is unblocked before committing to this play.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs in run heavy personnel situations where the defense is keying inside zone or HB Stretch out of this same Deuce Close set to sell the play-action fake. Check pre-snap for single high safety looks like Cover 3 or Cover 1, since the sprint out action combined with the deep crosser stretches the middle of the field horizontally and creates natural rub leverage on man defenders. Hot route the backside crosser into a deeper route or drag depending on leverage if you see a robber defender sitting in the shallow zone. Pair this play with Inside Zone Split or HB Stretch earlier in a series to condition the defense to bite on run action before dialing this up. On third and medium, prioritize the corner route since it settles in a soft spot between underneath zones and the deep half defender in most zone shells.
