Playbooks
PA Boot Lt is a play-action rollout out of Singleback Trips Close that pulls the QB to the left edge off a fake handoff, giving him a run pass option feel while the pocket flows away from the trips side. The concept typically features a deep crosser or corner route coming from the trips side to attack the void the play fake leaves in the linebacker second level, with a flat or drag route underneath as the checkdown and a backside tight end or receiver running a comeback to hold the boundary defender. This is primarily a zone beater since the play action freezes underneath defenders and linebackers who bite on the run fake, and the primary read progression starts with the deep crosser working across the field, then works down to the flat route if the corner or safety sinks under the crossing route.
Identify pre-snap whether the defense is showing single high or two high safety shells, single high defenses are more vulnerable to the play fake and open up the deep crosser. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard to defend the run fake you have a clean throwing lane over the middle for the crossing route. Beware of user controlled defenders sitting in a lurk technique in the shallow middle zone, they can jump the drag or flat route if you telegraph the throw too early. Look for delayed edge blitzes or contain defenders crashing down on the rollout side, since this play is vulnerable to backside pressure if the offensive line does not account for a fast defensive end. Cover 3 sky and Cover 3 buzz variations with a hard flowing linebacker to the play action side can shut this down quickly, so recognize those shells pre-snap and be ready to check into a quicker route from the set instead, such as Stick.
Run this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage to sell the run fake convincingly against defenses stacking the box.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties sitting deep they are less likely to bite on the fake, so lean on the flat route or checkdown instead of forcing the deep shot.
Use the rollout to your advantage by rolling out of the pocket with the QB and keeping your eyes downfield the entire time, since this naturally extends the play against man coverage if the pass rush contains outside.
Pair this play with HB Duo or HB Stretch earlier in a series so the defense respects the run action, then hit them with PA Boot Lt once linebackers start creeping downhill on run fits.
Hot route the backside comeback into a corner route against man coverage cornerbacks who like to jump underneath routes, this creates an easy explosive throw if the corner bites on the initial break.