Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Shot Post is a play-action shot play out of I Form Slot that uses a play fake to hold the linebackers and safeties before attacking downfield. The diagram shows three vertical stems: the outside receiver runs a corner-breaking post from the numbers, the slot receiver runs an out-and-up that turns vertical after clearing the flat, and the backside X runs a straight vertical seam. This is a man beater shot play designed to hit deep on double moves, with the primary read progression starting at the post, then working to the out-and-up seam if the post is covered.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single-high safety looks like cover 1 or cover 3, these shells are most vulnerable to the post route beating the deep middle defender. Watch for two deep safeties splitting the field evenly, this cover 2 or cover 4 shell can bracket the post and force you to check down to the seam or out-and-up instead. Post-snap, key the play side safety's first step, if he bites on the run fake even slightly, the post route window opens up over the top. Look for a user-controlled defender sitting in a deep third or hook zone, this lurk threat can undercut the out-and-up if the quarterback holds the ball too long. Against man coverage, watch the cornerback's hips on the post route, if he opens to the sideline anticipating an out or curl, the post breaks wide open behind him.
Usage Tips
Call this play on second or third and long when defenses are more likely to sit in single-high shells that leave the deep middle exposed to the post route.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see one deep safety shaded to the slot side, throw the post immediately off the play fake before the safety can rotate over.
Use the out-and-up as your late-window throw against zone defenders who bite on the initial out break, this route punishes cover 3 sky and cover 4 defenders who jump the flat.
Pair this shot play with HB Stretch or HB Power O from the same set so defenses respect the run fake and bite harder on the play action, setting up bigger throwing windows on the post.
Avoid calling this against known blitz-heavy defenses unless you have a quick trigger, the deep drops of this concept take time to develop and a free rusher will disrupt your play fake read.
