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Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action pass out of Singleback Deuce 12 personnel that sells the run fake before the quarterback boots to one side of the field, creating a sliding pocket that pairs with an underneath slide route concept. The blocking scheme mimics the inside zone or power run action, pulling linebackers up and giving the QB a run pass option feel even though this is a straight dropback with movement. The primary read starts with the slide route working underneath from the boot side, then progresses to the crossing route or flat option if the slide is taken away by a shallow defender.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flow of the middle linebacker and weak side linebacker at the snap. If they bite hard on the run fake, the slide route will be wide open underneath. Identify the coverage shell before the snap. Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells, the boot movement creates natural throwing lanes since zone defenders have to redirect after reading run action. Man coverage with no safety help over the boot side is the biggest weakness for defenders to exploit as a user, since the QB rollout combined with a man beater route tends to create separation against trailing defenders. Key on the flat or curl defender to that boot side. If that defender sits and reads the QB's eyes instead of biting on run action, the slide route gets taken away and the QB has to work the crossing route progression. Disciplined defenses that stay home against play action, particularly Cover 2 or Cover 6 with a hard edge set, shut this play down by forcing the QB to hold the ball longer in the boot pocket, so time up your pass rush or spy the boot lane to capitalize.
Usage Tips
Run this out of a run heavy personnel grouping like 12 personnel to keep linebackers honest on the play fake, since aggressive run fits will get exposed by the boot action.
Check the flow of the linebackers pre-snap. If they are stacked tight to the box expecting HB Dive, Power O, or Inside Zone Split, this play will pull them out of position and open the slide window.
Use the boot side rollout to buy time against edge pressure. If the defense shows a nano blitz off the edge away from the boot direction, this play naturally avoids that pressure point.
Pair this call in a sequence with PA Power O and PA Pats Boot to keep the defense guessing between run action and boot passes, then mix in Ace Posts or Z Dig as your dropback change of pace once the defense starts jumping the play fake.
Best used on early downs (first and ten, second and short) where defenses are more willing to bite on run action, and avoid it on clear passing downs where the fake loses its effectiveness against a defense sitting in soft zone.
