Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Lead Draw Shot (1) is a play-action shot play out of Strong I in the Close Flex set that sells the lead draw fake before pushing vertical routes downfield. The fullback and offensive line show run blocking to freeze linebackers and hold the strong safety in the box, buying time for a deep shot concept off play action. This is a man and zone beater built for explosive plays, with the primary read being the deep outside vertical route on the play fake side, working back to any deep in breaking route or crosser underneath if the shot is covered.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is in a run support shell with the strong safety walked into the box, since that alignment is exactly what this play action shot is designed to exploit. Watch for two deep safeties holding their depth at the snap instead of triggering downhill, which signals the defense is not respecting the run fake and the shot route will be contested. Post-snap, key the play side outside cornerback's backpedal. If he stays deep off the fake, the vertical shot route is likely blanketed and you should reset to the secondary in breaking read. Look for a user controlled safety sitting in a deep lurk or robber zone over the top of the shot route concept, which is a strong indicator the defense is sniffing out the play action shot pass. Beware of overload blitz packages or a nano blitz on the play fake side, since the extended play fake drop time increases sack risk if the offensive line does not get help against numbers advantages up front.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs like first and ten or second and medium when defenses are more likely to respect the run out of Strong I personnel, since the play action sell is far more effective against defenses keying run fits.
Check the safety alignment before the snap. If you see two high safeties rotate down or a single high safety creep toward the box pre-snap, that is your cue the defense is biting on run action and the shot play has a bigger window.
Take your time on the play fake animation before hitting the vertical read, since rushing the drop will get your quarterback hit by edge defenders who do not respect the run fake.
Pair this with FB Dive and Counter Weak earlier in a drive to condition the defense to fill downhill against your 21 personnel run looks, then dial up PA Lead Draw Shot to punish overaggressive linebackers and safeties.
Hot route the underlying crosser or drag into a deeper breaking route if you are facing zone heavy defenses like Cover 3 or Cover 4, since it gives you a second layer read against zone beaters that sit low.
