Playbooks
Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Boot Slide out of Strong I H Slot is a play-action rollout that shows run action with the fullback and offensive line before the QB boots to the open side of the formation. The route diagram shows a deep crosser breaking from the backside all the way across the field, a corner route from the slot climbing to the boundary, and a slide route sitting down in the middle of the field for the rollout QB as an outlet. This is a play-action man beater at its core, using the deep crosser to work against man defenders trailing across the field while the slide route gives the QB a quick answer against blitzes or when the pocket collapses on the edge. Primary progression is deep crosser first for the explosive shot, then the corner route on the boundary, and finally the slide route as the check down once the QB commits to the boot.
Defensive Reads
Watch for man coverage indicators like corners lined up tight to the slot receiver, since the deep crosser will pull man defenders across traffic and create separation If the defense shows two deep safeties presnap it signals zone, so key the flow of the linebackers after the play fake to see if they bite hard enough to open the crosser User controlled defenders sitting in the shallow middle zone can jump the slide route, so account for a lurking backer or nickel defender sinking underneath the boot A contain defender staying home on the edge instead of crashing on the run fake is the biggest sign this play is being read correctly, and it will shrink the rollout pocket Cover 3 with a sky safety rotating over the top can take away the corner route, forcing the QB into the deep crosser or the checkdown slide route
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs after establishing HB Dive or Power O to sell the run fake and freeze linebackers before booting the QB
Check the strong safety pre-snap, if he is rolled down into the box the deep crosser will have a clean angle to run away from man coverage
Use the flick or hot route to speed up the slide route into a quick out breaking route if the defense shows an aggressive edge blitz off the boot side
Pair this play with PA FB Flat in your sequencing since both show similar run action but attack different levels of the field, keeping the defense guessing
Best called on second and short or first and ten when defenses are more likely to bite on the run fake tied to Strong I personnel
