Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Y Glance shows a play-action fake out of Singleback Y Off Trio with three vertical stems releasing from the trio side while the Y (tight end) runs a quick glance route across the middle from the backfield alignment near the formation strength. The lone receiver on the weak side runs a straight vertical shot to hold the deep safety, and the running back fakes the handoff before checking down into a flat route underneath. This is a play-action man beater built to attack linebackers who bite on the run fake, with the primary read being the Y glance route working inside for a quick pick up against man coverage before working to the verticals on the trio side if the middle is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Check the middle linebacker depth pre-snap, if he is sitting shallow expecting run he will be late to the Y glance and it wins instantly. Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone since he can jump the glance route if he does not bite on the play fake. Man coverage on the Y with no safety help over the top is the green light to throw the glance immediately off the play-action set. Zone coverage with a deep half safety leaning to the trio side can squeeze the verticals, so be ready to check down to the running back in the flat. A blitzing linebacker crashing downhill on the fake can create a free rusher, so account for backside pressure before committing to the full play-action drop.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the play call until you see linebacker flow before releasing into your progression.
Target the Y glance route immediately versus man coverage since it wins quick separation off the play-action freeze.
If the defense shows a two high safety shell pre-snap, look to the trio side verticals since the glance route may get picked off by a shaded linebacker.
Use this play early in a series to set up PA Cross Dig and PA Slide later, since the run fake and route stems look identical and force defenders to respect the run.
Best used on early downs like first and second and short to medium yardage when defenses expect run action out of this personnel.
