Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Power O is a play-action shot play off the Power O run look out of Full House Tight. The fullback fakes into the line to sell the run action while the two outside receivers stretch the field vertically: one runs a deep crossing route from the backside that breaks all the way across the field, and the other runs a corner route from the strong side that climbs upfield before bending outside. A third route works underneath on the strong side, running a shallow out or flat route to give the quarterback a quick outlet. The primary read starts with the deep corner route against single coverage, works to the deep crosser sitting down over the middle if the safety jumps the corner, and checks down to the underneath out route as the last resort against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Key the linebackers first. If they step up hard on the run fake, that confirms the defense is playing base run defense and the play-action window stays open for the corner and crosser. Watch the safety alignment before the snap. Two high safeties signal zone coverage where the deep crosser can find the seam. A single high safety or safety cheating down suggests man coverage or a run blitz, which favors the corner route beating the corner one on one. Identify any user controlled defender dropping into a deep third or hovering as a lurk defender over the middle, since that player will jump the deep crossing route if he reads play-action quickly. This play struggles against disciplined zone coverages like Cover 3 or Cover 4 where the deep defenders stay home and do not bite on the run fake, since the crosser and corner routes both run into sinking zone defenders. Watch for edge blitzes or contain rushers crashing down on the fullback fake. If the offensive line loses contain quickly, the quarterback needs to get to the underneath out route immediately rather than holding for the deep shots.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when the defense expects Power O out of this heavy personnel look, since the play-action fake plays off the run tendency you build with Power O and HB Slam earlier in the sequence.
Check the safety alignment before the snap. If both safeties are deep (two high shell), target the deep crosser sitting in the void between zone defenders. If you see one safety cheating down near the box, that is your green light to attack the corner route on the opposite hash.
Use the underneath out route as your answer versus the blitz. If you see linebackers creeping or a nano blitz look pre-snap, get the ball out quick to that route before the play-action fake even fully develops.
Hot route the underneath receiver into a quicker option or motion him before the snap to diagnose man versus zone. If he is followed in motion, you are getting man coverage and can trust the corner and crosser to win on their breaks.
Sequence this play after running Power O and HB Slam a few times in the same drive. Once the defense bites on run keys from linebacker depth, PA Power O punishes overpursuit with the deep shots off the same look.
