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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Post Shot from Pistol Doubles Y Off Stack is a play-action shot play built to attack downfield off a run fake. Off the stack alignment, both outside receivers push vertical seams while the inside stack receiver breaks into a deep post, and the single receiver to the field runs a deep comeback breaking route off the post action. The offensive line sells the run fake before sliding into pass protection, and the primary read progression starts with the post from the stack (the man beater shot route) before working outside to the vertical seam and finally to the deep breaking route if the post is capped.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety pre-snap, this is the biggest tell that the post route has a soft window to attack. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the run fake the post route will have a clean throwing lane behind them. Post-snap, key the deep safety's break, if he stays flat footed reading the run action the post will separate quickly for an explosive gain. Cover 3 with a hard flat rotation is vulnerable to this concept since the deep third defender often cannot cover both the post and the vertical seam route. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties shut this play down, the post route runs directly into help and the quarterback should reset to the comeback or check down.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or in shot situations like 2nd and short where defenses expect run action off the pistol look.
Check pre-snap for single high safety alignment since the post route thrives against one high shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3.
If you see two deep safeties (Cover 2 or Cover 4), be ready to hold the ball and check down to the vertical seam or work the deep comeback on the backside.
Pair this play with HB Dive or Wide Zone earlier in a drive to sell the run fake and get defenders to bite on the play-action, then dial up PA Post Shot to hit the post behind creeping linebackers.
Combine with Four Verticals in your play-calling sequence so defenses cannot sit on the post concept without opening up seam and vertical shots elsewhere.
