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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
PA Flood out of Singleback U Off Trio (12 personnel) is a play-action flood concept that stacks three routes into the same side of the field to overload one defender. The two inside receivers run vertical seam routes while the outside receiver breaks on a deep comeback/out at the numbers, and the underneath TE or FB releases to the flat off the play-action fake, creating a high-low stretch on the flat defender and outside cornerback. The blocking scheme shows a run fake up front to hold linebackers before the QB works the flood side, with the primary read progression going flat route first, then the comeback, then climbing to the vertical seam if the safety bites on the play-action.
Defensive Reads
Read the flat defender first since the flood concept is designed to put him in a bind between the underneath route and the deep comeback breaking to the same landmark. Key the free safety depth at the snap, if he stays home instead of biting on the run fake, the vertical seams will be covered and you should work the comeback or flat instead. Watch for Cover 3 cloud or sky rotations where the corner sinks under the comeback, since that leaves the flat defender exposed and forces a tougher throw window. This play struggles against disciplined zone drops that stay square and read the QB's eyes, so user-controlled linebackers who ignore the run fake and drop into the flood zone can jump the underneath route. Man coverage with an overhang defender on the flat route can also bracket the flood side, so check if the defense shows Cover 1 or Cover 0 pre-snap and be ready to work the backside seam instead.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage so the play-action fake actually threatens the defense and freezes linebackers. Check pre-snap for single high safety looks or Cover 3 shells, since the deep comeback and flat combo puts immediate horizontal stress on the cornerback and flat defender in those coverages. If the defense shows two high safeties or Cover 2, hot route one of the vertical seams into a deep post to attack the middle of the field voided by the safeties rotating late. Pair this call with Inside Zone or Inside Zone Split earlier in a series so the linebackers start keying run fits, making the play-action fake on PA Flood far more effective on money downs. Against aggressive user blitzers, get the ball out quickly to the flat route since the play-action mesh point can be vulnerable to fast interior pressure.
