Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Slide out of Strong I Tight (22 personnel) shows a play-action fake to the HB (red route) before he releases flat into the boundary as a checkdown option. On the backside, the far receiver runs a deep corner route while the inline TE and the other receiver cross the middle on a deep in and a shallow drag, and the outside receiver to the strong side runs a deep post/flag up top. This is a play-action shot play built to attack man coverage on the crossing routes while giving a zone beater checkdown to the HB if the deep shots are covered, so the primary read progression starts with the deep post/flag, works down to the crossing in/drag combo, and finishes with the HB flat route as the safety valve.
Defensive Reads
Check the safety alignment pre-snap: if you see two high safeties, the deep post/flag will be contested, so key the underneath crossers instead. Watch linebacker depth at the snap since aggressive run fits on the play-action fake open up the crossing routes for easy completions. User a linebacker or safety to spy the crossing in/drag combo and undercut the throwing lane before the quarterback commits. Against man coverage teams, get a jam on the outside receiver running the deep post/flag to disrupt his timing off the line. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can beat this play if the offensive line's run blocking sets are exposed before the fake fully sells, so time your blitz to hit as the quarterback turns back from the play fake.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the snap button briefly so the play action animation fully freezes linebackers before releasing your first read.
Use this on early downs like first and ten or second and short when the defense is likely to bite on run action out of Strong I personnel.
If the defense shows single high pre-snap, take the deep post/flag route immediately since it is a one on one shot against most coverage shells.
Against man coverage, work the crossing in and drag combo since the natural rub creates separation against man defenders trailing underneath.
Pair this call with HB Blunt Dive or FB Dive earlier in a series so the defense keys run fits from Strong I, then punish overaggressive linebackers with this shot play.
