Playbooks
PA Wb Post is a play-action shot play out of the Flexbone Close formation that uses the option run fakes to freeze linebackers and safeties before attacking downfield. The wingback releases vertically into a post route while the fake to the fullback and dive action sells the run, creating a window against zone shells that bite on the play fake. This is primarily a zone beater since it exploits linebackers and safeties who step up for run support, and the primary read progression starts with the wingback post, then works to any underneath crosser or checkdown release from the backfield fake as the second option.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety is a green light for the post since he has to cover the entire middle of the field alone. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the play fake instead of dropping into zone drops the post window opens up immediately behind them. Beware Cover 4 quarters shells and Cover 2 with two deep safeties sitting on top, since these coverages keep numbers over the post route and can squeeze the throw. Identify user-controlled defenders lurking in the middle of the field, a smart user linebacker or safety can sit on the post route and jump the throw if the quarterback stares it down. Watch for overload blitzes or nano blitzes from the edge since the play fake takes extra time to develop and puts the quarterback at risk if protection does not account for an extra rusher.
Call this play after establishing Inside Veer Triple Opt or Midline Triple so the defense has seen the option run fakes and starts cheating linebackers downhill. Look for single high safety shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1 pre-snap since the post route splits the seam behind the linebackers who are keying run action. If you see two deep safeties sitting back in Cover 2 or Cover 4, consider hot routing the wingback to a corner or bending the post shorter to sit in the honey hole between zone defenders. This play hits best on early downs, first or second and short to medium, because defenses are more likely to load the box expecting FB Zone Dive or Wb Dive from this personnel. Sequence this with PA FB Dive earlier in a series so the safeties start flowing on fake handoffs, then hit them over the top with the wingback post when they overcommit.