Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action rollout concept out of Singleback Wing Tight U that pulls the QB to the right off a run fake. The backside receiver runs a deep corner route up the numbers, the slot works a shallow slide route underneath into the flat, and the boundary receiver stems upfield before flattening into a deep in breaking route across the field, giving the QB a high low read on the boot side. This is a play-action man beater designed to hold linebackers with the run fake and give the QB a simple flat to deep progression: read the flat defender first on the slide, then work up to the corner route if he sinks.
Defensive Reads
Look for man coverage indicators pre snap like press corners or a single high safety, since the rollout and corner route combo stresses man defenders trying to run with routes across the field. Watch the flat defender assignment after the snap, if a linebacker widens too fast to cover the slide route it opens the deep in breaking route behind him. Identify Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells pre snap, as the deep corner route can be undercut by a hard flat corner squeezing the rollout throwing lane. Key on edge blitzes off the boot side, since a contain rusher or scrape exchange defender can disrupt the QB rollout timing before routes develop. Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, as this can jump the deep in breaking route if the QB stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs when you have already established the run game from Wing Tight U so the play fake actually holds second level defenders.
Check the flat defender before the snap, if he is a linebacker with tight run support alignment the slide route underneath will be wide open in the boot flat.
Use the QB rollout to your advantage against man coverage, since the boot naturally creates a run threat that forces man defenders to open their hips late.
Pair this with HB Dive and HB Inside Zone earlier in a drive so the fake actually sells and the linebackers step up on the boot action.
If you see two high safeties pre snap, prioritize the deep corner route since one safety usually has to respect the run fake and vacate his zone late.
