Playbooks

PA Slide

Singleback·Doubles Y Off Close·11

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

In 2 playbooks

Patriots OffenseOffenseNFL Live Patriots OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA Slide is a play-action pass out of Singleback Doubles Y Off Close that sells inside zone before sliding the pocket protection to buy the quarterback time on a deep dropback concept. The route combo typically features a slide protection scheme with a backside deep shot paired with underneath outlet routes, giving the quarterback a high low progression against both man and zone coverage. The primary read starts with the deep route to hold the safety, then works down to the intermediate crosser or slide route, and finishes with the checkdown to the running back or flare route if the pocket collapses.

Defensive Reads

Watch the linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard to play the run fake the middle of the field opens up for the intermediate crosser Identify single high versus two high safety alignment before the snap, single high means the deep shot has less support and is more likely to connect Look for a user controlled defender dropping into a lurk spot in the shallow zone, this can jump the underneath crosser and bait a bad throw Recognize cover 3 shells with a hard flat defender, since this can take away the flare or checkdown option and force the quarterback to hold the ball longer Beware of disguised blitzes off the edge that come free through the play action fake, since the slide protection can leave a gap if the offensive line slides the wrong direction

Usage Tips

Run this on early downs or in second and medium situations when defenses are still respecting the run fake from Singleback personnel

Check the safety depth pre snap, if you see a single high shell the play action hold should freeze the linebackers and open up the intermediate window

Hot route the shallow crosser into a deep out or comeback if you diagnose man coverage with no safety help over the top

Pair this play with HB Dive and Inside Zone Split earlier in a series so the run fake carries more weight and linebackers bite harder on the play action

Use max protect or slide the protection manually if you are facing a known blitz heavy opponent, since the play action drop takes longer to develop than a quick game concept

Sequence this with PA Boot Slide or PA Deep Out later in the game once the defense starts keying on your run game tendencies

Other Plays in Doubles Y Off Close