Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action rollout out of Singleback U Off Stack that pulls the QB to the right on a boot fake while the backfield sells inside zone. Off the stack alignment, one receiver runs a deep corner route while the other stack receiver runs an out breaking crosser underneath at the intermediate level, and the outside receiver runs a deep vertical to hold the safety while the flat route underneath sits as the boot check down. The primary read progression is the deep corner route first to attack a cleared out flat, then the shallow crosser sitting underneath zone defenders, with the flat route as the last resort dump off on the move.
Defensive Reads
Watch for two deep safeties pre snap, this shell tells you the corner route has a soft spot to work into behind underneath defenders. If the defense shows a single high safety with the corner rotating down, expect the flat area to be occupied and the crosser to be the more open read. Key the play side outside linebacker or edge defender at the snap, if he crashes hard on the run fake he opens the flat and crosser for easy access throws off the boot. Watch for a user linebacker spying or sitting in the shallow zone, this defender can jump the crosser route if the QB stares it down too long. Corner blitzes from the boot side are the biggest threat since they arrive as the QB is still turning to roll, so any pressure read off the edge should trigger an immediate flat route throw.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs or manageable third downs after establishing the run game out of this personnel group so the play action freeze actually holds the linebackers.
Check the safety alignment pre snap, against a two high shell the deep corner route has room to sit in the void behind the cornerback, against one high roll the corner route to the far side or check to the crosser first.
Hot route the flat route to a flat sit if you see a corner blitz coming off the edge you are rolling toward, this gives the QB an instant answer against pressure.
Pair this play with Inside Zone and Inside Zone Split earlier in a series so the linebackers bite on the run fake, then dial up PA Boot Slide once the defense starts keying run.
Use PA Dagger U Cross from this same set as a change up since it attacks the middle of the field, forcing the defense to respect both an outside boot concept and an inside seam shot concept.
