Playbooks
Mtn PA Draw is a play-action draw run out of the Singleback U Off Trips Cluster set, designed to freeze the front seven with a play-action fake before handing off to the HB on a delayed draw. The offensive line initially shows pass protection to draw linebackers upfield before opening running lanes, while the trips cluster receivers run vertical or intermediate routes to occupy defensive backs and hold zone defenders in coverage drops. The primary read progression is presnap: identify if linebackers are sitting in coverage or biting on the pass fake, then let the HB find the cutback lane based on how the defensive line reacts to the play-action mesh point.
Presnap, identify linebacker depth and alignment, since linebackers sitting shallow at five yards or closer are primed to be sucked up by the play-action fake and open the cutback lane Check safety rotation before the snap, since a two high shell that stays two high through the play fake usually means the defense is respecting the draw and will rally fast Post-snap, key the defensive line reaction to the quarterback drop, since defensive ends and tackles who crash hard upfield on the pass rush create the natural cutback running lane for the HB Watch for a user controlled linebacker sitting in the shallow middle zone or spying, since a smart defender who does not bite on the fake and stays home in the box will blow up the draw before it develops This play struggles against zone blitz packages and disguised pressure that brings extra defenders through interior gaps, since the extra rusher arrives before the HB can find the lane, and it also loses value against defenses that key the personnel grouping and load the box against 12 personnel run tendencies
Call this play when linebackers have shown aggressive pass rush tendencies or blitz packages on previous downs, since the play-action fake is most effective against defenders keying the quarterback drop
Use this on early downs like first or second and medium to keep defenses honest, since a stuffed draw on third and long is a low value outcome
Watch for defensive line stunts and twists presnap, since the draw blocking scheme can struggle against interior line movement that crosses gaps before the HB gets to the mesh point
Pair this call with Mtn HB Draw and Inside Zone earlier in a series to sell the same backfield action, then hit PA Boot or PA Flood off similar formation tendencies to punish linebackers who start sitting on the draw
Avoid calling this against defensive fronts stacked with extra defensive linemen or heavy run blitz looks, since the numbers advantage disappears and the HB has nowhere to go