Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Misdirection out of Singleback Wing Tight Z (13 personnel) opens with a play-action fake that holds the linebackers before the quarterback works a three level stretch to the play side. The outside receiver runs a deep corner/flag route up the sideline, the inline tight end releases vertically then breaks into a deep post crossing the field, and the slot runs a deep out that sits at the sticks, while the backside receiver runs a shallow drag underneath to hold the flow of the defense. This is a play-action shot play designed to punish man coverage and single high shells, with the primary read progression going flag route first for the explosive shot, then post as the window opens against zone rotation, then settling to the deep out and drag as checkdowns against a hard sell from the safeties.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers stepping up hard on the play fake, that flow confirms man coverage or a base front vulnerable to the flag and post combo. Key the free safety pre snap, if he is shaded to the play side the flag route will be contested so look to the post route working away from him instead. Post snap, identify any user controlled defender sitting in the deep middle third or robbing the post, since that lurk threat is the primary counter to this concept. This play struggles against a hard cover 2 shell with corners sinking under the flag route and safeties splitting the deep middle, since both deep options get squeezed. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can also disrupt the timing before the flag route develops, so respect any pre snap overload look and be ready to check to the drag route as a quick answer.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs like first or second and medium to sell the run fake off your established HB Inside Zone and HB Power O tendencies. Check the safety alignment pre snap, if you see a single high safety cheating into the box, hot route the flag route to a deep comeback to counter aggressive corners jumping the sideline. Against two high shells, prioritize the post route since the safety rotation often leaves a soft spot in the middle of the field for the tight end. Pair this play in your call sheet with HB Dive and HB Counter U to keep linebackers honest before dialing this up on third down for an explosive gain. If the corner presses the flag route receiver, motion is not shown here so instead audible the drag route into a quick out to beat aggressive man coverage getting beat off the line.
