Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action rollout concept out of Singleback Wing Tight Left that pulls the QB toward the boundary while the protection slides with him. The diagram shows a deep vertical route from the boot side receiver that breaks into a corner route toward the sideline, a shallow drag/slide route crossing the field underneath from the opposite side, and an outlet flat route working to the boot side along with a shorter crossing route underneath from the backfield. This is a play-action man beater built to attack overaggressive linebackers on the run fake while giving the QB a rollout with a high-low read: first look is the deep corner breaking route, then progress down to the underneath slide/drag and flat combo as checkdown options.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers stepping up hard on the run fake, this is the key indicator the play-action has bitten and the corner route or drag will be open behind them. Identify single high safety shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1 pre-snap since the corner route can split the seam if the safety commits to the wrong side. Key the boot side cornerback's depth, if he sinks deep to cover the corner route the underneath drag and flat combo become the easy answer. Beware of contain defenders or edge blitzers who stay home on the boot side, they can disrupt the QB's rollout timing and force an early or errant throw. Cover 2 with a hard flat defender sitting on the boot side flat route can jump the underneath option, so be ready to climb the ladder to the deep corner route if that defender jumps early.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the ball fully through the play-action animation before rolling out, this freezes linebackers and opens the corner route.
Use this on early downs like 1st or 2nd and short to medium yardage when defenses are keying run based on personnel and formation tendencies.
Check pre-snap for single high safety looks, if the safety cheats to the boot side the corner route window shrinks so be ready to work down to the drag and flat combo instead.
Pair this with HB Dive or Inside Zone earlier in a series to establish the run fake credibility, then call PA Boot Slide once linebackers start stepping up on run action.
Roll the QB with the play design rather than resetting in the pocket, this play loses value if you sit still since the protection is designed to slide with the boot direction.
Against man coverage, hot route the flat route into a quick out if the defender is playing tight to take away the underneath option immediately.
