Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Boot Slide is a play-action rollout concept out of Weak I Wing that sells the run fake before the QB boots to the strong side. Off the fake, both outside receivers push vertical up the numbers on go routes while the slide route works underneath from the backside across the formation to the flat area vacated by the boot action, giving the QB a built-in checkdown. This is a man beater at its core, using the flood concept (two verticals plus an underneath drag) to stress the strong side flat-to-deep zones and to isolate any man defender caught flat footed by the play fake, with the primary read progression going deep outside shot on the vertical to the boot side first, then working down to the slide route crossing underneath as the checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Read the strong side safety pre snap: if he is creeping down into the box expecting run action, this play is designed to punish that with the vertical shot. Watch for a single high safety rotating late, which signals Cover 3 or Cover 1 and tells the QB the outside verticals have one on one leverage against the corner. If the defense shows two deep safeties holding their depth through the play fake, expect underneath defenders to sink into the flood zones, which pushes the read to the slide route as the checkdown. Key the strong side linebacker or edge defender on the boot side, since a disciplined defender who does not bite on the run fake and stays home can contain the rollout and take away the easy throw. Watch for a user controlled defender spying the QB or sitting in a lurk position in the flat, since that lurk threat sits right in the throwing lane of the slide route and can jump the underneath crosser if the QB does not manipulate him with eyes first.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when defenses are still respecting the run out of Weak I personnel, since the play fake needs linebackers to bite for the boot action to open up. Check pre snap for single high safety looks like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since the vertical routes on both sides will stretch the deep thirds and give the QB a one on one shot outside. If you see two high safeties sitting deep, prioritize the slide route underneath since the flood concept will hold the underneath defenders and open the crosser. Pair this with HB Power O or FB Power from the same set to keep defenses honest on early downs, then hit them with PA Boot Slide once they start crashing down on run fits. Use the rollout to buy extra time against exotic blitz packages since the QB naturally moves away from backside pressure, making this a good change up call versus aggressive blitz heavy defenses.
