Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Close Post is a play-action shot play out of the I Form Wing set that sells run action before attacking downfield. Off the fake, the inline receiver runs a deep post that stretches the field from the numbers to the opposite hash, while the outside receiver on that side clears out vertically on a go route to hold the corner and safety. The backside receiver runs a corner style route from the wing alignment, and a check release defender flashes underneath through the middle as a scan or leak option. The primary read progression starts with the post, working to the backside corner route as the second read, and using the underneath scan as a checkdown if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety alignment before the snap. A single high safety indicates man or cover 3, which opens up the post route working behind the linebackers. Two deep safeties pre-snap signal cover 2 or cover 4, which puts more numbers over the post and makes the backside corner route the better shot. Watch the linebacker depth and their reaction to play action. If they crash hard on the run fake, the post window opens up fast in the intermediate to deep middle area. Identify any user-controlled defender hovering near the deep middle hole, since a rangy free safety or robber can undercut the post if the quarterback stares it down. Cover 1 or cover 3 with a blitz is the biggest threat to this concept since it removes the check release option and forces a quick decision on the post before pressure arrives.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs when the defense has shown run tendencies out of your I Form Wing personnel, since the play fake carries more weight against aggressive run fits.
Check the safety shells pre-snap. Against a single high safety, the post has room to work into the void behind the linebackers. Against two high shells, prioritize the backside corner route since the post will run into help.
Motion is not built into this play, so use formation recognition and prior play calls to bait linebackers into stepping up on the fake.
Pair this with HB Lead, HB Inside Zone, or HB Power O earlier in a series so the defense respects the run fake and bites on the play action.
If the user controls the deep middle defender to jump the post, come off it quickly to the corner route or check down to the scan release underneath for positive yardage instead of forcing a bad throw.
