Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Power O out of the I Form Close Flex set sells the Power O run action to the strong side before the QB pulls and rolls off the fake. Off the play fake, the outside receiver runs a deep corner or go route up the boundary while the slot man breaks out on a comeback, or flat route underneath, giving a clear high-low read to the sideline. With the offensive line and fullback selling down blocks on the run action, this is a play-action shot play designed to punish linebackers and safeties who bite on the run fake, and the primary read progression starts with the deep route up top before working down to the underneath breaking route.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebackers and safety at the snap, if they crash hard on the run fake the deep route up the sideline should come open behind them. This play beats man coverage when the corner turns his hips to run with the vertical route and loses ground on the break, and it beats single high shells when the free safety commits to the box. Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells with disciplined deep defenders who stay on top of the route can shut this down, since the corner route or go route needs a blown assignment or hard run bite to hit for a big gain. Post snap, identify any user-controlled defender lurking underneath, since a smart user player can sit on the underneath breaking route and jump the shorter throw. If the linebackers do not bite and instead sink into zone drops immediately, check down to the underneath route rather than forcing the deep shot into coverage.
Usage Tips
Run this out of base personnel on early downs so the run action actually holds linebacker eyes and safety depth. Check pre-snap for a single high safety or stacked box, both indicate a run bias that makes the play fake more believable and opens the deep shot. Hot route the underneath receiver into a quick out or drag if you see a corner sitting deep on the vertical route, giving you a faster answer against zone drops. Pair this with HB Power O and Stretch in your play-calling sequence so the defense keys run action the same way multiple times before you hit them with the pass. Best used on second or third and short to medium when defenses expect run, since that is when linebackers and safeties are most likely to step up and bite on the fake.
