Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Ctr Waggle is a play-action rollout concept out of Singleback Wing Tight that sells a center run fake before the QB works to the flat side. Both outside receivers run vertical routes that break to the outside (corner/go breaking routes) off a hard stem, while the slot man in the backfield area runs a shallow crosser under the wheel-style route pattern that climbs from the flat to the sideline, and the TE releases into the flat to the opposite side. This is a play-action man beater built to attack aggressive linebackers who bite on the run fake, with the primary read progression starting on the underneath crossing route, then the flat/wheel route, before working back to the outside vertical breaking route as a shot play if the pocket holds.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker at the snap, if he steps up hard on the run fake he is out of position to help on the underneath crosser or flat route. Watch for Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with deep safeties sitting at depth, these coverages take away the outside breaking vertical routes and force the QB to check down. Identify man coverage on the outside receivers pre-snap, since the corner and vertical breaking routes are designed to win one-on-one against man defenders who over-commit to the play fake. Look for a user-controlled defender spying the QB on the waggle rollout, this is the biggest threat to shut the play down since it eliminates the extra time the rollout is designed to create. Recognize blitz packages that send extra rushers to the play side, since the pulling blocker and rollout protection can be overwhelmed by a well-timed edge blitz.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when defenses are keyed into stopping the run to maximize the play-action hesitation from linebackers.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see two deep safeties sitting at 10 to 12 yards, favor the underneath crosser and flat route rather than forcing the ball outside.
Use the rollout to extend the play if the initial reads are covered, the waggle action buys time against man coverage and lets you check down late.
Pair this with HB Inside Zone and HB Power O from the same set so the run fake carries real threat, then hit PA Ctr Waggle once the defense starts crashing downhill on early down runs.
Hot route the backside vertical route into a shallow drag against zone-heavy defenses to give yourself an extra layer underneath if the safeties sit deep.
