Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Slot N Go is a play-action shot play out of Singleback Wing Slot with 12 personnel that boots the fake to hold the linebackers before the routes develop. Off the run fake, the slot receiver runs a deep go route straight up the seam while the inline TE runs an over/post route crossing behind it, creating a natural rub concept that stresses deep zone defenders and safety help over the top. A flat/check release route from the backfield or off the formation adds an underneath outlet, and the play is best used as a man beater against single high looks since the crossing action forces DBs to fight through traffic. The primary read is the deep go route first for an explosive shot play, working back to the crossing route underneath if the top is capped.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap identify whether the defense is in a single high shell like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since the crossing route and deep go combo is designed to beat man coverage and split zone defenders. Watch the flow of the linebackers after the play fake, if they bite hard on the run action you will have a wide throwing window on the underneath route and a clean vertical shot up top. Key the deep safety's leverage post-snap, if he stays flat footed reading run instead of getting depth, the go route will run past him for a big play. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties are the toughest matchup here since the extra deep defender can rob the go route, so be ready to check down quickly. Watch for a user controlled defender lurking underneath the crossing route, as a disciplined defender sitting in that window can jump the throw if the quarterback holds it too long.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in shot-play situations off tendencies you have already established with inside zone or PA Boot concepts from this set. Check the pre-snap safety alignment, if you see a single high safety cheating toward the slot go route, that is your green light to test the sideline route immediately off the play fake. Hot route the underneath flat or check route into a route conversion if you expect a heavy blitz look, giving your quarterback an emergency valve. Pair this play with HB Dive or Inside Zone Split earlier in a drive so linebackers start stepping up on run fakes, which opens the vertical shots later. Use play-action pump fake or ball fake timing to let the crossing route clear the second level before your quarterback resets his eyes downfield.
