Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Draw Shot fakes a handoff to the HB before the QB pulls it back, buying just enough time for a shot play to develop downfield. Off the play-action fake, the two receivers to the left run a vertical stem with one breaking outside up the boundary while the other cuts inside and up the seam, and the outside receiver on the right runs a deep out breaking hard to the sideline. The blocking scheme sells run action up front to freeze linebackers and hold the safeties, and the primary read progression starts with the deep left receiver on the vertical, then works to the seam route, using the boundary out as the late checkdown against zone leverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth pre-snap, if they are stacked tight to the line expecting run you have a strong indicator this shot play will hit big. Identify the coverage shell before the snap, two high safeties signal Cover 2 or Cover 4 which caps the verticals, while one high safety signals Cover 1 or Cover 3 which opens the field for the boundary out route. Key the flow of the linebackers after the snap, if they step up hard on the draw fake the seam and vertical routes will have a clean window behind them. Look for a user controlled defender sitting in the deep half or playing lurk, since that defender can jump the vertical route or the seam if he reads play-action quickly. This play struggles against aggressive man blitzes with a spy, since the fake does not hold linebackers who are keyed on the QB and the shot routes need extra time to develop.
Usage Tips
Use this play when linebackers and safeties are keying run or biting on prior draw and HB run calls from this set like HB Draw or Inside Zone to set up the fake. Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see two high safeties sitting deep the vertical routes on the left have less window so prioritize the boundary out route on the right as your first read. Against single high looks, take the vertical shot to the boundary since the play-action freeze should hold the deep safety just long enough. Hot route the underneath outlet to a quick flat or drag if you diagnose a hard blitz pre-snap, since the play-action fake takes time to sell and you need an answer versus pressure. Sequence this call after a couple of successful HB Dive or HB Power O runs so the defense commits to stopping the run, then hit them with this shot play for an explosive gain.
