Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Slide out of Strong I H Close Off is a play-action pass built off the offense's inside run action to freeze linebackers before attacking downfield. Off the fake, the fullback releases into a flat route while three receivers work vertically: one runs a deep out breaking toward the sideline, another runs a corner route from the slot, and the third climbs a deep post over the top from the backside. The tight end or extra blocker stays in to protect on the play-action fake, and the primary read progression starts with the deep out, works to the corner route in the intermediate window, and comes back to the fullback in the flat as the checkdown against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a two high safety shell pre-snap since that alignment often signals Cover 2 or Cover 4, which puts extra defenders on top of both the corner and post routes and forces you to lean on the flat route to the fullback. If you see man coverage indicators like a linebacker walked out over the fullback, expect him to be manned up in the flat, so your corner route becomes the higher value throw. Identify blitz packages by checking if the defense stacks the box or shows an extra rusher off the edge, since a fast blitz will disrupt the play-action fake and force an early checkdown to the fullback. Zone defenses that sit their linebackers at intermediate depth can undercut the deep out route, so hold that throw until the route fully clears the underneath zone drop. A single high safety who bites hard on the run fake leaves the deep post route in a favorable window, but if he stays disciplined and reads pass, that post throw becomes a low percentage attempt.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake with the analog stick before committing to your drop so linebackers bite and open passing lanes underneath. Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to mid distance since the play action fake is most believable when the defense expects run out of Strong I personnel. Check the safety alignment pre-snap: if you see a single high safety shading toward the post side, work your first read to the deep out instead since the post will be covered. Pair PA Slide with HB Blunt Dive and HB Stretch earlier in a drive to establish the run tendency, then dial this up once the defense starts crashing linebackers downhill. Against man coverage, the corner route from the slot is a strong man beater since it stems away from the defender, so prioritize that route if you see press or trail technique pre-snap.
