Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA HB Out uses a play-action fake to hold the linebackers while the HB releases out of the backfield on an out route to the flat. Off the play-action look, the backside slot runs a deep crosser underneath the outside receiver's vertical, the outside receiver on the left runs a corner route while the slot on that side clears vertically, and the TE/Y receiver runs a wheel route up the sideline after selling a shallow drag. This concept beats man coverage with the wheel and out combo creating natural leverage against linebackers and beats zone by clearing out underneath defenders with the deep crosser and vertical routes. The primary read starts with the HB out route in the flat, then progresses to the deep crosser working across the middle, and finally to the wheel route as a home run shot against blown coverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high safety looks like Cover 3 or Cover 1, which leave the deep crosser and wheel route vulnerable to a blown coverage big play. Watch linebacker depth before the snap, if they are stacked close to the box expecting run support, the HB out route will be uncontested in man or zone. Post-snap, key the flow of the middle linebacker, if he bites hard on the play-action fake, the deep crosser will have a wide throwing lane over the middle. Beware Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties, since they can rob the wheel route and force you to check down to the HB out or crosser quickly. User-controlled defenders sitting in a lurk technique near the crosser's route can jump the throw, so look off that route with your eyes before committing if you sense a user blitz or spy.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or second and short to keep the defense honest against the run action, since the play-action fake plays best when defenders are still respecting the ground game.
Check the pre-snap alignment for linebackers sitting flat footed near the line of scrimmage, that tells you they are biting on run action and the HB out will be wide open in the flat.
If you see man coverage indicators like corners lined up tight with no safety help over the top on the wheel route side, hot route the outside receiver to a quick out or peel off to the wheel route immediately for an explosive gain.
Against zone shells, work the deep crosser as your primary progression since it exploits the seam vacated by underneath defenders sinking into their drops.
Pair this play with HB Draw and Mtn HB Draw earlier in a series to sell the run threat, then call PA HB Out to cash in on aggressive linebacker flow and safety cheating up.
