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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA FL Stretch is a play-action shot play off outside zone action out of Singleback Trips Open. The offensive line executes an outside zone stretch blocking scheme to sell the run fake, while the backside receiver runs a deep vertical route up the sideline as the primary shot play threat. The two inside trips receivers run crossing routes underneath, working from opposite sides to settle into the intermediate middle as safety valves, making this a zone beater designed to hit the deep shot against run-fill linebackers while giving you a checkdown crossing combo if the top is taken away.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high safety looks (Cover 1 or Cover 3) since linebackers biting on the zone action will leave the deep vertical route open behind them. Watch cornerback depth on the backside receiver. If the corner is playing off coverage or bailing early, the deep shot is live off the play fake. Post-snap, key the linebackers first two steps. If they step up to fill the run gaps, the crossing routes underneath will have room before the second level defenders can recover. This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with safeties sitting deep, since the vertical route will be capped and the crossers run into zone traffic. Beware of user controlled defenders sitting in the middle of the field as a lurk threat, since both crossing routes converge in that same intermediate zone and can be jumped by an aggressive user linebacker or safety.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when you have already established outside zone runs, since the play action sell only works if the defense respects the run fake.
Check the safety alignment before the snap. If you see a single high safety cheating toward the trips side, take the shot on the backside vertical route immediately off the play fake.
If the defense shows two deep safeties or a clear zone shell, work the crossing routes underneath instead of forcing the deep ball, since those crossers settle into soft zone windows vacated by run flow.
Pair this play in sequence with Wide Zone and HB Slam earlier in the series so linebackers start keying run fits, which opens up the play action window on this call.
Hot route the backside vertical receiver into a comeback if you are facing aggressive corners playing press man, since the double move off play action will separate quickly.
