Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide out of Singleback U Off Trio (12 personnel) shows a play-action bootleg concept with three vertical route breaks stacked to the offense's left and a running back leak into the flat away from the roll. The two outside receivers push vertical seams that bend upfield while the inside slot runs a corner route crossing over the top, creating a natural high-low stretch for the quarterback on the boot. This is a play-action man beater built off run fakes, with the primary read starting on the flat leak, then climbing to the crossing corner route, and finishing on the deep outside vertical if the pocket holds.
Defensive Reads
Read the flat defender first, if he sinks with the crossing route the RB leak is wide open for an easy pitch and catch. Identify single-high safety alignment before the snap, Cover 3 and Cover 1 leave the deep outside vertical isolated on a corner with no help over the top. Watch linebacker depth after the play-action fake, if they bite hard on the run fake the middle of the field opens up for the corner route to sit down behind them. Against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells this play tightens up, the deep safeties can rob the vertical routes so be ready to check down to the flat quickly. Beware disguised blitzes off the edge to the boot side, since the quarterback rolls that direction contain pressure can collapse the pocket before the deep routes develop.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs after establishing Inside Zone or Inside Zone Split from the same set so the play-action fake actually freezes linebackers.
Check pre-snap for single-high shells since the deep vertical routes stress Cover 3 and Cover 1 defenders who have to flip their hips late.
Use the RB leak in the flat as your outlet against blitz-heavy calls, it is the fastest developing throw and bails you out versus nano blitzes.
Hot route the backside vertical into a drag if you see two-high safeties rotating hard to the boot side, giving yourself a quick zone-beater window.
Pair this with PA Dagger U Cross in your play-calling sequence, the two plays share formation and run-action tells so defenses cannot key on personnel or splits.
