Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Sprint HB Flat is a play-action sprint out concept from the Strong I Close formation that sells the run fake before the QB rolls to the strong side. The route diagram shows a deep out breaking into a corner route from the outside receiver, a drag route sitting underneath crossing the middle from the slot, a flat route from the fullback releasing to the boundary, and a delayed release route from the running back working underneath. This is a play-action rollout designed as a man beater on the perimeter, with the sprint action creating a run-pass conflict for the edge defenders while giving the QB a rolling pocket and horizontal stretch to read from the flat up to the corner.
Defensive Reads
Key the flat defender first, if he sinks with the fullback the drag route behind him becomes the easy answer underneath. Watch the corner on the boundary side, aggressive corners jumping the flat route open up the deep corner route breaking outside. Zone shells with a hard flat drop and a deep half safety squeeze both the flat and corner reads, forcing the QB to check down to the delayed running back route. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is where this play hurts defenses most, since the corner route wins vertically once the corner commits to the flat. Bring an edge blitz off the sprint side to disrupt the roll and collapse the pocket before the QB can climb through his reads.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs in run heavy personnel packages so the play-action fake actually influences linebackers and safeties.
Check pre-snap for single high shells since the sprint out puts extra strain on the flat and corner defenders on that side of the field.
If the corner sits low on the flat route, hot route the outside receiver into a deep comeback or keep the corner route as your window against off coverage.
Pair this with HB Dive and HB Off Tackle earlier in a series so the strong side flow fake carries more weight against aggressive run fits.
Roll the QB with confidence on third and short or second and medium, since the sprint gives him a designed run option if the flat and drag are covered.
