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Breakdown
PA Power O out of Maryland I Close shows a play-action fake to sell the Power O run scheme before working a deep out and a corner route on the boundary. Off the run fake, the outside receiver runs a deep corner up the sideline while the inside receiver breaks outside on an out route to the flat area, creating a high low stretch on the perimeter defender. The blocking initially mimics down blocks and a lead puller for Power before releasing into the play-action set, and the primary read progression starts with the corner route on the vertical shot, then comes down to the out route underneath if the deep shell takes it away.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety alignment before the snap, single high safety coverage means the corner route has to beat one defender over the top so take the shot if he bites on the fake. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard to fill run gaps on the Power O action, the flat and out routes will have space underneath. Identify user controlled defenders lurking near the flat, a smart user player can sit on the out route and jump it, so hold the corner route longer if you see a defender sitting short. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender will take away the underneath out route, forcing the corner throw into tighter coverage, so know your arm strength and window before committing. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the best shell to attack, since the corner route wins one on one versus most linebackers or slower defensive backs matched up.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake with a full play-action hold since the run threat from Maryland I with 12 personnel forces linebackers to bite on the Power O action.
Check the safety depth pre-snap, if you see two high safeties rotate down into the box expecting run, the corner route behind them is your explosive play window.
Use the out route as your answer versus press man coverage or when the corner drops deep, it is the quicker developing throw and beats aggressive underneath jumps.
Pair this play with base Power O and HB Lead Dive earlier in a series so the defense keys run action, then hit this play action shot once linebackers start crashing downhill.
Best called on early downs or second and short when defenses are more likely to load the box, since the run fake carries more weight and opens the vertical route.
