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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Middle out of Singleback Wing (12 personnel) sells the play-action fake to the HB before working a route concept up the seams and middle of the field, designed to punish linebackers and safeties who bite on the run fake. The blocking scheme mimics inside zone or duo action to freeze second level defenders, buying the QB time to work the deep middle read. This is a play-action man beater against aggressive linebackers, with the primary progression starting at the seam or middle-breaking route and working down to a shallow crosser or check down if the safety sits deep.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety alignment pre-snap, this tells you Cover 1 or Cover 3 is likely and the middle seam should be open after the fake. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the play-action fake the middle of the field opens immediately for your primary read. Key the deep safety post-snap, if he stays home and does not bite on the fake you need to work your secondary route or check down quickly. Beware two high safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4, these shut down the deep middle read and force you into underneath completions only. Watch for a delayed blitz or user lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle, since play-action concepts are vulnerable to zone drop defenders sitting in the throwing lane.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short to sell run action credibly and get linebackers to bite on the fake.
Check for single high safety pre-snap since Cover 1 and Cover 3 shells leave the middle vulnerable to the seam and post routes this play attacks.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or drag if you see Cover 2 shells rolling the safety over the top, giving you a shorter but safer answer.
Pair this with HB Dive or HB Blunt Dive earlier in a series so the defense keys run action heavier, making the play-action fake in PA Middle even more effective.
Use PA Middle in obvious run down and distance situations like second and three or third and short to catch linebackers cheating downhill.
