Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Boot X Shot (1) is a play-action rollout out of Strong I with 21 personnel that sells the HB run fake before the QB boots to the strength of the formation. The concept sends X on a deep shot route down the field while the TE and other underneath options work the flat and intermediate zones to give the rolling QB a checkdown if the shot is covered. Read the deep shot route first for a big play against aggressive safeties, then work back to the flat and drag combo underneath as the secondary progression if the top is capped.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety shells, single high leaves the deep shot route on an island against man coverage. Watch the flow of the linebackers at the snap, if they bite hard on the run fake it confirms man or aggressive run fits and opens the boot lanes. Post-snap, key the backside defensive end and any contain defender, a disciplined edge player who stays home on the QB can blow up the rollout before the shot develops. Look for a user-controlled safety sprinting to jump the deep shot route, if he commits early, work the underneath flat or drag combo instead. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with disciplined deep defenders shut this down, while Cover 1 or man-heavy fronts that overcommit to the run are where this play hits hardest.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs or in shot situations like 2nd and short to keep defenses honest against the Strong I run look before you take your shot.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see a single high safety cheating to the X side, throw off the run fake quickly before he can drop into the deep third.
Use the rollout to buy time against edge pressure, since the QB naturally moves away from the strong side rush while still keeping his eyes downfield.
Pair this with HB Blast or HB Stretch earlier in a series so the defense keys run action and bites on the boot fake, opening the deep shot route.
If the deep shot is blanketed by two-high coverage, work the flat route as the built-in check down rather than forcing the ball into a covered shell.
