The PA QB Wrap is a shotgun play that not only has a number of different solid passing options, but it also has a run option immediately after the snap. Also, the spacing of the routes on this play is almost perfect because it provides you with targets at every level of the defense. Continue reading below as SportsGamer breaks it down.
Shotgun Trips Bunch - PA QB Wrap
Console(s)
XBOX 360 / PS3Quick Setup
Step 1 - (optional) Hot route your running back to stay in and block to get rid of playaction (360 - Y + receiver's icon + RT/LT / PS3 - Triangle + receiver's icon + R2/L2).
SportsGamer tip: It's important to know that your right tackle is pulling across the field after the snap, so reading the defense correctly to make sure you have the appropriate amount of protection will be key.
Play Breakdown
In the first image you can see that we've come out of the huddle with the Hawaii Warriors in the Shotgun Trips Bunch PA QB Wrap. Defensively, our opponent has come out in the Quarters Man Cover 2. The first thing we notice from the defense is that the defensive line has not been pinched. This means that we could utilize the run option that this play provides us with to pick up a few yards right up the middle. However, we're going to take a look at our passing reads first. The lone change that we like to make before beginning this play is hot routing the running back to stay in and block to not only get rid of the playaction, but also to provide us with some extra protection in the pocket.
Now you can see what the offensive assignments look like after we have hot routed the running back to stay in and block. When we see our opponent's defenders like up directly in front of our receivers we have to assume that they're playing a man to man defense. Once we've established that our opponent is playing man defense, then we know that our first read is going to be the tight end breaking out to the right. The tight end's route is unbumpable as he moves towards the right sideline.
We make the throw with the quarterback to the wide open tight end. The tight end makes the catch and ends up turning this play into an eight yard gain when it's all said and done.
The next option after the tight end is the (A) receiver running a crossing route underneath. Crossing routes are extremely difficult to guard in man to man coverage, so expect this receiver to get open consistently as well. This play concludes with a seven yard reception near the left hash mark.
The two deep passing options (both outside receivers on opposite sides of the field) that you have on the field require slightly more timing to execute them properly. The key to completing these passes is to make a high pass just after the receiver turns the route upfield. First, your receiver will break over the middle. Then, he will turn upfield on a streak. However, if you can learn to make the pass after he turns upfield it will result in about a 10-15 yard gain.
The running back also makes for a solid passing option out of the backfield, but his route is pretty self-explanatory. Instead, this time we're going to take advantage of the fact that our opponent has not pinched his defensive line and try to run the ball. It's important to hot route the tight end to stay in and block (as shown above) if you plan on running. Otherwise, the left defensive end could get into the backfield easier because your right tackle is pulling away from him. Once again the quarterback takes the snap and the blocking begins to develop up front. Once we have received the ball with the quarterback we hold down (360 - S / PS3 - X) to make sure that he hands the ball off to the running back instead of giving the playaction fake. If you'll look to the image on the right you an see that our tight end is right in position to make a block if the left defensive end had come free.
The ball is handed off to our running back and now we simply look to hit the open holes. The end result on this play was a gain of eight yards and another first down for our offense.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the PA QB Wrap is filled with options all over the field. The most important aspect to focus on when using this play is protection. The routes provided are easy enough to use, but you just have to make sure that you give yourself enough time to make your reads. This is one play that needs to be added into your offensive arsenal today.
