Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Verticals out of Strong I Twins Over uses a play-action fake to sell the run before releasing two vertical threats up the field. The diagram shows the outside receiver breaking to the corner route (red) while the inside slot receiver stems up the seam and bends into a deep post-like vertical (yellow), stretching the field horizontally at the top of the route stems. With only two routes shown going deep and the rest of the personnel staying in to fake the run action, this is a play-action shot play designed to hit explosive plays against both zone and man coverage. The primary read progression starts with the seam/post route working inside leverage against Cover 3 or Cover 2 shells, then works outside to the corner route if the safety rotates over the top or if you get single coverage on the boundary defender.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high safety, since this determines which vertical route becomes the primary target. Watch cornerback depth at the snap, as press coverage on the outside receiver signals man coverage and favors the corner route working to the boundary. Post-snap, key on the play side safety's reaction to the play-action fake, since any hesitation or step toward the line opens a throwing window over the top. Look for user-controlled defenders lurking in the passing lanes, especially a rover or robber sitting in the middle of the field trying to jump the inside vertical route. This concept struggles against disciplined Cover 4 or Cover 6 shells where safeties stay deep and never bite on the run fake, so avoid calling this if the defense shows quarters coverage tendencies.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs like first or second and medium when the defense expects run based on personnel and formation tendencies out of Strong I. Look for two high safeties pre-snap since this concept punishes Cover 2 by sitting the seam route in the honey hole between the corner and safety. If you see Cover 3 with a single high safety, prioritize the post breaking route since it will split the deep third defenders. Pair this with HB Blast or Power O earlier in a series to sell the run fake and get linebackers to bite on the play-action, which opens up throwing lanes for both verticals. Use hot routes to slide the underneath routes if you anticipate a blitz, since the play-action fake holds defenders just long enough for a hot throw to convert on money downs.
