Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action rollout concept out of Weak I Close Flex that sells the run fake before the QB boots to the right edge. Off the play fake, the fullback runs a shallow drag underneath while one receiver breaks into a deep out and another climbs vertically up the seam, and the backside receiver runs a corner route to clear the deep third. This is a man beater built for rollout throws, with the primary read starting on the deep corner route, working down to the seam climber, and settling on the fullback drag as the checkdown against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flow of the linebackers at the snap: if they bite hard on the run fake, the underneath drag and seam routes will be wide open. Identify single high versus two high shells before the snap, since two high shells force the corner route into a tighter window against the deep safety. Key the boot side cornerback's leverage: if he sits flat footed reading run, the corner route will stack him quickly. Look for a user lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone, since he can jump the fullback drag and blow up the checkdown read. Man coverage with linebackers matched on the fullback is the easiest matchup to exploit, while zone shells with a deep half safety rolled over the top can take away both the corner and seam routes.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs or 3rd and short to keep the play fake honest and hold linebackers for a beat.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap: if you see a single high safety shaded to the boot side, the corner route has a strong shot to win over the top.
Use the rollout to buy time against exotic pressure since the QB naturally escapes the pocket to the play side edge.
Peek the fullback drag first if you see man coverage with a linebacker matched up, since he will consistently win separation underneath.
Pair this with HB Dive or HB Zone from the same set to sell the same backfield action and keep the defense honest before hitting the boot for a bigger play.
