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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Y Glance is a play-action shot play out of Singleback Doubles Flex that sells the run fake before attacking downfield with a vertical stretch on the outside and a quick glance route from the TE across the middle. Both outside receivers run straight verticals to hold the corners and safeties deep, while the TE releases from the backfield area and cuts across the field on a shallow glance route underneath the linebackers, with the HB checking down on a short angle route as the outlet. The primary read progression starts with the TE glance route against man coverage or in the void behind a blitzing linebacker, then works to the vertical shots on the outside if a safety bites on the play fake, with the HB check down as the last resort against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Watch for two deep safeties pre-snap, since split safety shells can rob the glance route with an underneath zone defender sitting in the throwing window. Key on linebacker depth before the snap, since linebackers sitting shallow in the box can jump the TE glance route the instant they read the quarterback's eyes. If you see a nano blitz or edge pressure package, get the ball out immediately off the play fake, since the pocket collapses fast and the deep verticals take too long to develop against pressure. Man coverage with a single high safety is the green light for this concept, since the verticals occupy the corners and the glance route wins against man defenders in space. Watch for a user-controlled defender lurking in the shallow middle zone, since a smart user player can sit on the glance route and jump the throw if the quarterback telegraphs it.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when you have already established the run game, since the play fake needs defenders to respect the HB action to open up the glance route.
Look for single high safety looks pre-snap, since the two verticals on the outside will occupy the corners and force the deep safety to choose a side, leaving the glance route wide open in the middle.
Hot route the TE glance to a quicker angle if you see man coverage with no underneath linebacker help, since this turns it into an instant man beater against linebackers who cannot stay in phase.
Combine this with HB Blunt Dive or HB Slam earlier in a drive to sell the run fake harder, then come back to PA Y Glance once the defense starts creeping linebackers into the box.
Pair this call with Four Verticals or PA Dbl Posts later in the set to keep defenders guessing between the glance concept underneath and true vertical shots, since both plays share the same run action look.
