Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action rollout out of Singleback Doubles Y Off Close that flows the QB to the boot side while the backside receivers clear out with vertical and out routes. The diagram shows the slide route running underneath from the backside receiver across the field into the flat area vacated by the rollout, while the two receivers on the boot side sprint upfield and break outward to occupy the corner and deep defenders. The blocking scheme keeps the offensive line in a run fake set to sell the play fake before the QB rolls out, and the primary read progression starts with the slide route working across the shallow zone before climbing to the boot side flat and corner routes if the underneath window closes.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers staying home on the run fake instead of flowing with their run key, which signals the defense is playing pass first and will jump the slide route. Identify if the defense is in zone coverage by checking if the corner on the boot side sinks with depth instead of pressing, since that opens the flat and slide routes. Man coverage with the cornerback pressing at the line combined with a safety cheating over the top can shut down the boot side routes, forcing the QB to rely on the slide route or take off. Look for a user controlled defender flashing into the underneath throwing lane on the slide route, which is the biggest threat to this play since it sits in a shallow crossing window. If the defense brings a contain blitz off the edge on the boot side, the QB has to get the ball out immediately to the slide route or risk a sack since the rollout lane collapses fast.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs when the defense is keying run action, since the play fake and rollout punish downhill linebackers and aggressive edge defenders.
Check the safety alignment pre snap. Two high shells give you time to work the slide route across the field, while single high shells mean you should be ready to hit the boot side flat quickly.
Hot route the backside vertical into a shorter comeback if you diagnose zone coverage, since it gives the QB a quicker outlet if the slide route is taken away by a spying linebacker.
Pair this with PA Boot Screen and PA Boot Corner Post from the same set to keep the defense guessing on which boot concept is coming, forcing linebackers to hesitate on the run fake.
Use on second and short or first and ten to maximize the effectiveness of the run fake and get defenders flowing away from the eventual rollout lane.
