Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Dive is a play-action pass out of Singleback Wing Tight U that starts with a run fake to sell the HB dive before the QB peels off to throw. Off the fake, the play sends a corner route breaking outside up top, a deep out that stems from the slot, and a wheel route from the wing that climbs the sideline, while the fullback checks down into the flat as the outlet. This is a man beater built to punish linebackers who bite on the dive fake, with the primary read progressing from the corner route up top down to the deep out, and finally to the wheel or flat check-down if the defense sits deep.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth immediately after the snap: if they step up hard on the dive fake, the underneath zones open up for the deep out and wheel route. This play struggles against disciplined Cover 3 defenders who stay square and read run-pass keys, since the deep out and corner route both funnel into a single deep third defender. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest vulnerability, especially if the corner covering the wheel route bites on the play fake and gets picked off by traffic near the line. Pre-snap, identify single-high versus two-high safety alignment: single-high shells invite the corner route up top, while two-high shells push the read toward the deep out and flat. Post-snap, be alert for a user-controlled linebacker spying the QB or sitting in a lurk technique underneath the deep out, since that defender can jump the intermediate throw if the QB telegraphs it.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the ball at the mesh point as long as possible before rolling into your progression, since linebacker eye discipline determines how open your intermediate routes will be.
Use this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage, since the run action is most believable when defenses expect HB Dive or HB Power O from this same formation.
Check safety depth before the snap: if you see two deep safeties sitting at 10 plus yards, the corner route up top will be tightly contested, so shift your first read to the deep out.
Pair this play with HB Dive and HB Inside Zone earlier in a drive to condition the defense into keying run action, then dial up PA Dive once linebackers start creeping up on run fits.
If the CPU or opponent shows blitz pre-snap, hot route the fullback into a quick flat release instead of the check-down design so you have a faster answer against pressure.
