Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Power O is a play-action shot play out of the I Form H Tight set that sells the Power O run fake before releasing three vertical-based routes. The diagram shows two receivers running vertical seam and go routes on the left side while the tight end runs a corner route from an in-line alignment on the right, with a fullback checking down for a short flare or drag underneath. This is a man beater built to attack single-high shells, using the play fake to hold the linebackers and safety long enough for the corner route to clear the flat defender, with the primary read progressing from the outside vertical to the corner route and finally the underneath check down.
Defensive Reads
Watch the safety depth pre-snap, if he is stacked in the box or creeping toward the line of scrimmage he is likely to bite on the run fake and open up the corner route behind him. Key the flat defender or curl-flat player over the tight end's side, if he sits at the line to play run he cannot get width to defend the corner route. Identify man coverage by press alignment on the outside receivers, since the vertical routes on the left are designed to win one-on-ones against trail technique. On the snap, track linebacker eyes, if they step up hard on the play fake before recovering to their zone drops the seam and corner routes will have a clean throwing window. This concept is vulnerable to disciplined Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells where the deep defenders sit and read the quarterback's shoulders instead of biting on the run action, so avoid this call against defenders who consistently ignore play-action.
Usage Tips
Run this from run-heavy personnel on early downs like first and ten or second and short so the play fake actually freezes linebackers and the box safety.
Check pre-snap for single-high shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since the corner route and vertical seam both stress the deep half when the safety bites on the run fake.
If the defense shows two-high safeties before the snap, consider hot routing the check down to a quicker route or peeking the corner route earlier since the play fake will be less effective.
Sequence this play after establishing HB Power O or HB Iso from the same I Form H Tight set so linebackers start keying run fits, making the play-action freeze more believable on tape.
Use the fullback check down as a built-in answer against blitzes, since the play fake occupies the front seven just long enough to get the ball out on the swing or flare route.
