Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Boot Lt is a play-action bootleg out of the Weak I Slot Flex set that pulls the QB away from the play side fake to roll left. Off the diagram, the outside receiver runs a deep corner/go route stretching the sideline vertically, the slot receiver runs a deep crosser working from the right all the way across the formation, and a third receiver sits underneath on a shallow drag toward the boot side, giving the QB a high low read on the run. The tight end and backfield hold in to protect the edge, making this a play-action man beater designed to hold linebackers with the run fake while the QB rolls out with a layered route concept in front of him.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage defenses that bite hard on the run fake are the most vulnerable since the deep crosser and corner route will separate quickly against trailing defenders. Watch for a strong safety or linebacker spying the QB on the boot side, this is the biggest tell of a defense sitting on play action. Cover 3 zone shells with a flat defender sinking under the corner route can take away the deep sideline shot, forcing the QB to work the intermediate crosser instead. Post-snap, identify any user-controlled defender dropping into the throwing lane of the deep crosser, as this is a common lurk spot to jump the route. Fast edge pressure from the backside that is not accounted for in protection can collapse the pocket before the deep routes develop, so track the backside contain rusher closely.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs like first and ten when the defense is expecting a run look from Weak I personnel to maximize the play fake hold on linebackers.
Read the flat to deep progression as you roll, starting with the shallow drag underneath before working to the deep crosser and finally the corner route if the pocket holds.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see two high safeties sitting soft this concept can still work but expect the corner route to be capped, so lean on the deep cross instead.
Pair this with Power O or HB Gut from the same Slot Flex set earlier in a drive to sell the run fake harder and condition the defense to bite on the play fake.
Use the rollout to your advantage against overaggressive edge rushers by resetting your feet and using the boot side flat as a checkdown outlet if the pocket collapses.
