Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action rollout out of Weak I Slot Open that pulls the QB to the right edge behind the fake handoff. The backside receiver runs a deep dig/crosser working from the left sideline across the field, the two right side receivers stack a vertical clearout and a slide/flat route underneath, and the fullback releases into a swing/slide route as the checkdown near the line. This is a play-action man beater built around the rollout window, and the primary read progression starts with the slide route in the flat, works up to the crossing dig sitting behind it, and finishes with the vertical clearout if a linebacker or safety bites hard on the run fake.
Defensive Reads
Watch the slot corner and strong safety pre-snap, if they are shaded tight to the flat area they are keying the boot and will jump the slide route. Check for a Mike or Will linebacker cheating toward the edge, an aggressive blitz timing shows they are keying the rollout and will collapse the pocket fast. Man coverage with no deep safety help over the top is the weak point, the crosser and vertical route will separate against trailing defenders. Zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with a hard flat defender can squeeze the slide route, so the crossing dig becomes the higher value read against zone drops. Watch for a lurking defender sitting in the throwing lane on the rollout side, a spy or zone defender reading the QB's eyes can jump the underage crosser late.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs, first and second and short to medium yardage, when the run fake still has value and defenses are honoring the box.
Check the slot corner and linebacker depth before the snap, if they are crashing hard on run action this rollout window opens up instantly.
Use the FB slide route as your emergency valve when the pocket collapses on the edge, it is the fastest developing option and keeps the play alive against pressure.
Pair PA Boot Slide with HB Draw and Off Tackle from the same Weak I look to keep defenders honest on the run fake before hitting them with the rollout.
Hot route the vertical clearout receiver into a deep comeback against off coverage to punish corners sitting on the underneath slide route.
