PA Stretch out of Singleback Doubles sells outside zone action to the backfield before the QB pulls and works a three level pass concept off the run fake. The blue route is a shallow drag/flat sneaking outside underneath, the deep yellow route runs a vertical stem then breaks to a corner, the other yellow route runs a deep out on top, and the red route breaks from an inside stem into a deep crossing route to the opposite sideline. This is a play-action shot play built off outside zone flow that punishes teams sitting hard on the run or biting on the stretch fake, and the primary read progression starts with the deep crosser off the fake, works down to the deep out sitting underneath it, and checks down to the shallow drag if the defense drops deep coverage.

Defensive Reads

Watch linebacker depth at the snap. If they step up hard to fill run gaps, the crossing route and shallow drag will have easy running lanes underneath. Key the corners on the outside routes. Aggressive man corners jumping the deep out or the corner route are vulnerable to a double move or the shallow route sneaking behind them. Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap. Single high leaves the deep crosser working against a rotated defender who may be late getting over the top. Post snap, locate any user lurk defender sitting in the shallow drag or flat area, since that is the first route most defenses key to shut down. Cover 3 and Cover 1 defenses that sell out on the run fake are the most exploitable, while disciplined Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells that keep defenders deep can take away both the corner and crosser routes.

Usage Tips

Run this on early downs or in normal run/pass splits so the play fake actually sells against defenses respecting your outside zone tendencies.

Check safety depth pre-snap. If both safeties are cheating up to stop the run, take the shot on the deep crossing route immediately off the fake.

Use the shallow drag as your answer against zone blitzes or heavy pressure since it clears out fast underneath and gives the QB a quick outlet.

Pair this with HB Stretch and Tight Zone Wk earlier in a series so the defense keys run and bites on the same zone flow, setting up this shot play as the counter.

Hot route the deep out to a comeback against teams that play soft outside corners, since the double move can bait a jump for an easy pitch and catch.

PA Stretch

Quick Reference

In 4 playbooks

Receiver routes

Read progression

Breakdown

Defensive Reads

Usage Tips

Other Plays in Doubles