Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Flood out of Singleback U Off Trio is a play-action pass built to stretch one side of the field vertically with three receivers stacked at different levels, classic flood concept designed to overload a Cover 3 or Cover 2 cornerback and force a horizontal-vertical conflict. The play-action fake off the 12 personnel run look holds linebackers for a beat, opening throwing lanes underneath and intermediate. Primary read progression goes deep out or corner route first to see if the cornerback bites on the run fake, then works down to the intermediate flood route, and finally checks down to the underneath flat route as the outlet against a hard sink from the deep defender.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check for two deep safeties versus one deep safety to identify Cover 2, Cover 4, or single high shells before the snap, since this dictates which flood level will be open. Watch the flat defender and curl-flat zone defender post-snap, if they widen with the flood route immediately, the intermediate window behind them opens for a quick strike. Key the deep cornerback's reaction to the play-action fake, a corner who steps up to play run leaves the deep route wide open for an explosive gain. User-controlled defenders sitting in the lurk spot on the flood side can jump the intermediate route, so if you see a user closing fast, work the ball to the corner route or check down to the flat instead. Cover 3 with a fast-flowing linebacker in the hole can shut down the underdeep middle read, so recognize when the middle linebacker gets deep drop depth and avoid forcing throws into that zone. Blitz packages that bring five or six rushers can collapse the pocket before the flood routes fully develop, so identify blitz looks pre-snap by checking safety rotation and linebacker depth, and be ready to get the ball out on the quick flat route as a blitz beater.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when the defense shows run-heavy alignment with linebackers creeping to the line, since the play-action freeze is more effective against aggressive run fits.
Identify the coverage shell pre-snap by checking the safety depth, if you see two deep safeties with the cornerback playing off, expect Cover 2 or Cover 4 and prioritize the intermediate flood route into the void between the corner and safety.
Against Cover 3, attack the deep third defender by working your eyes from the corner route to the flood route to force him to choose, then hit whichever route he leaves open.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick drag or slant if the defense shows single high with press corners, giving you a rhythm throw that beats man coverage without waiting on the flood to develop.
Pair this play with Inside Zone and PA Boot Slide from the same personnel group to keep the defense guessing between run action and play-action, since the shared run fake disguises intent until the ball is snapped.
Avoid calling this on third and long against zone-heavy defenses that can sit on the flood side, since the deep corner route becomes harder to complete without a clean pocket from the play-action protection.
