Playbooks

PA Boot Screen

Singleback·Wing Flex Close·12

Likely unavailable in the playbook builder

This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

SetWing Flex Close

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 3 playbooks

Sim Screenrunblend Ba OffenseOffense Sim Screenrunblend Ph OffenseOffense Sim Screenrunblend Rn OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA Boot Screen is a play-action bootleg screen out of Singleback Wing Flex Close that sells the play fake to the backside while rolling the quarterback out to the front side, where the offensive line sets up a screen pocket for the running back. It is a change of pace screen play designed to bait aggressive defenders and blitz packages by holding linebacker eyes on the fake before releasing the back into space. The primary read progression starts with the play fake to freeze the front seven, moves to the boot action to check for a wide open backside defender bailing hard, and finishes with the screen to the running back as the outlet once blockers get in front.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check linebacker depth and alignment since screens die against defenses playing light in the box or showing obvious scrape exchange technique. Identify if the defense is running a Cover 2 or Cover 3 zone shell, since deep zone coverage tends to leave underneath defenders flowing hard to the fake, which opens the screen lane. Post-snap, watch for a user controlled defender sitting in a lurk spot near the flat or boot side, since a smart human defender can jump the screen read instantly and blow it up. Key on defensive ends and edge rushers, if they collapse the pocket too fast on the play fake it can disrupt the timing of the screen before blockers get set. Look for blitz packages where linebackers are told to spy the quarterback boot action, since disciplined spy linebackers will not bite on the fake and will stay home to read the screen.

Usage Tips

Call this play against defenses that show heavy blitz indicators pre-snap like linebackers creeping to the line or a nano blitz alignment, since the screen is designed to punish aggressive pass rush.

Watch the play clock and snap timing so your linemen have enough time to release and get out in front of the running back before defenders read screen.

Use this as a change of pace after running HB Dive or HB Duo earlier in the drive so linebackers are conditioned to bite on run fakes and play action.

If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep safeties sitting back, the boot fake alone can hold the strong side flow long enough for the screen to develop, but bail if you see a spy or scraping linebacker reading the screen immediately.

Sequence this with PA Cross Country or PA Jet Sweep in the same drive to keep defenders guessing between play action pass and screen concepts out of the same personnel and formation look.