Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 16 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Sprint HB Flat is a play-action sprint out concept out of the Strong I Wing formation, 22 personnel. Off the fake handoff, the deep out route breaks toward the sideline while the middle X runs a corner route up the seam and outside, and the HB releases to the flat behind the FB, who runs a short flat route in front of him underneath. The HB flat is the built-in checkdown and the primary read on this rollout, with the corner route as the vertical shot play if the play fake pulls up linebackers and the safety bites, making this a play-action man and zone beater depending on how the defense reacts to the run fake.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check for stacked box fronts and safety rotation toward the strong side since heavy run support alignments get exploited by the play fake and rollout. Watch for a flat defender or nickel corner sitting in the flat zone since they can jump the HB flat route and blow up the primary progression. If you see man coverage with the corner shaded outside, the corner route can win up the sideline once the underneath fake clears the linebackers. Post-snap, key the strong side linebacker or SAM for blitz timing since a fast edge rush on the rollout side can force an early, inaccurate throw before routes develop. Zone shells with a deep half safety sinking hard on the corner route can undercut the vertical shot, so be ready to reset to the FB flat or HB flat as the zone beater underneath.
Usage Tips
Sell the play fake by holding the HB button briefly before rolling out so linebackers commit downhill and open passing lanes underneath.
Use this on early downs, first and second and short to medium yardage, when defenses are more likely to sit in run support looks and bite on the fake.
If the safety cheats to the corner route pre-snap, work the HB flat and FB flat combo immediately since the rollout naturally sets up easy access throws.
Pair this with PA FB Flat and PA Mtn Power O in the same drive to keep linebackers guessing between run fits and play-action rollouts out of the same personnel and formation look.
Hot route the corner route to a deep in or dig if you see two deep safeties post-snap, since the sprint out naturally voids the middle of the field against split safety shells.
