Playbooks
Breakdown
PA Post Shot from I Form Slot uses play-action to hold the linebackers before releasing three vertical routes and a shallow flat check-down. The two outside receivers run deep posts breaking toward the middle of the field while the slot receiver runs a post from a tighter alignment, and the FB or TE leaks out to the flat as a safety valve. This is a shot play designed to attack single-high and man coverage, with the primary read starting on the outside post working to the inside post, and the flat route as the last resort against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Look for a single high safety pre-snap, since that alignment tells you the deep middle is a one-on-one post battle you can win with timing. Watch the linebackers immediately after the snap, if they bite hard on the play fake it confirms man or a run blitz look and the posts should come open behind them. Identify any user-controlled defender lurking in the middle of the field, since a rover or spy sitting in the throwing lane can jump the inside post route. Two deep safeties or a Cover 2 shell should make you check down to the flat route immediately instead of forcing the post into double coverage. Watch for a delayed blitz off the edge during the play fake, since the extra rush defeats the shot play if the quarterback cannot get through his first read quickly.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or after establishing HB Stretch and HB Power O so the play fake actually holds the linebackers and the safety bites on run action.
Check pre-snap for a single high safety, since two deep shells force you to work the sideline post to the boundary and abandon the shot read.
If the corner presses at the line, hot route the outside post to a slant or use motion to check the coverage before the snap.
Sequence this with PA Ctr Waggle or PA Y Throwback earlier in the drive so defenders respect the run fake and bite harder on this shot call.
Use this on second and short or after a big run gain when the defense is most likely to sell out against the ground game.
