Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action rollout concept out of Singleback U Off Trips with 12 personnel. The QB fakes the handoff and rolls to the right behind a slide protection scheme, with the two trips receivers running vertical routes (a corner route and a deep go from the slot) while the third trips man works an underneath drag across the middle. The backside TE stays in as a check release option running a short drag or flat route opposite the boot, giving the QB a layered read from deep to short as he rolls outside the pocket. This is a play-action pass designed to attack man coverage on the boundary while giving the QB a run-pass conflict for linebackers reading the play fake.
Defensive Reads
Watch for cornerbacks pressing at the line pre-snap since that usually signals man coverage, which is where the corner route and vertical go from trips have the best matchup advantage. Key the flow of the linebackers after the snap. If they bite hard on the run fake, the underneath drag route will be wide open for an easy completion. Identify any contain defender on the edge the QB is rolling toward. A disciplined edge defender or a user controlled defender spying the QB can blow up the rollout before routes develop. Look for a lurking linebacker or nickel defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, since that defender can jump the drag route if the QB stares it down too long. Against zone coverage shells, especially Cover 3 or Cover 4, this play is more vulnerable because the deep zone defenders can sit on the vertical routes while the underneath defender covers the drag, forcing the QB to hold the ball and risk pressure from backside pursuit.
Usage Tips
Run this out of early down and distance situations like first or second and short to sell the run fake and freeze linebackers who are reading run fits.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap. If you see two high safeties rotating down into the box, the corner route and go route from trips have a strong chance to win outside against man coverage.
Use the QB rollout to your advantage by extending the play if the first read is covered, since the drag route underneath and the checkdown from the backside TE give you a built in second and third read.
Hot route the backside TE into a deeper route if you are getting single high safety looks and want to attack the middle of the field instead of relying on the underneath drag.
Pair this play with Inside Zone Split or HB Slam earlier in a series to establish the run fake, then call PA Boot Slide off the same look to catch overaggressive linebackers cheating downhill.
