Playbooks

PA Zone Shot

Singleback·Y Trips·11
Play ActionPass PlayDeep CrossCrosserDigPost
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

In 1 playbook

Fix OffenseOffense

Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players
PlayerSideRoute
HB1MiddlePass Block
WR3RightDeep Cross
WR1LeftDeep Post
WR2RightDeep In
TE1RightPass Block

Read progression

  1. WR1 left, Deep Post
  2. WR3 right, Deep Cross
  3. WR2 right, Deep In

Breakdown

PA Zone Shot out of Singleback Y Trips is a play-action shot play built off a zone run fake to sell the linebackers and safeties downhill before attacking the middle of the field vertically. The offensive line executes zone blocking steps to hold second level defenders, buying the quarterback time to work a deep shot route paired with underneath zone beaters from the trips side. This is a play-action pass designed to punish teams that key run flow with linebacker and safety aggression, with the primary read starting on the deep middle shot route and working down to the intermediate crosser or flat option if the top is capped.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is in a one high or two high safety shell since that dictates whether the deep shot route is a viable first option or a bait route. Watch linebacker depth at the snap: if they step up hard on the run fake, the middle of the field opens for both the shot route and any crossing zone beaters underneath. This play struggles against disciplined Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells where safeties stay deep and refuse to bite on the play fake, so avoid forcing the shot throw into two deep defenders. Man coverage with underneath linebackers spying the quarterback can disrupt the timing of the rollout, so be ready to check down quickly rather than holding the ball. Look for user-controlled safeties sprinting to rob the deep route: if you see a defender break early toward the shot concept, that is your cue to reset and find the checkdown or flat option instead of forcing the deep ball.

Usage Tips

Run this from run-heavy personnel down and distance like second and short or first and ten so the play fake actually holds linebackers and safeties.

Check the middle of the field pre-snap: if you see a single high safety sitting deep, expect the shot route to be contested but the underneath zone beaters will be wide open against Cover 3 rotation.

If the defense shows two high safeties pre-snap, look to hot route the shot receiver into a quicker breaking route since the deep ball will be doubled, or check into a different play entirely.

Pair this with HB Zone Wk Alert Bubble or HB Stretch from the same set earlier in a series so the defense starts biting on run action, then hit them with PA Zone Shot once linebackers start creeping up.

Use play-action rollout timing patience: let the fake fully develop before resetting your eyes downfield, since rushing the throw is the most common way to sail the deep shot route.

Sequence this with PA Ctr Waggle or PA Power O to keep opposing defenders guessing between run fits and coverage responsibilities across a drive.

Other Plays in Y Trips