Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Flood X-Post Stop is a play-action pass out of Pistol Full House Over Close that puts three receivers into a vertical flood on the right side while the backside runs a shallow pivot route. Post-snap, the X receiver breaks into a deep post from the right flank, a slot man clears out on a corner route, and the tight end or slot runs a quick stop right at the sticks, creating a high-low-flood read on that side of the field. The lone route to the left is a quick out breaking route, giving the quarterback a simple checkdown away from the flood. This is a play-action, cover 3 beater designed to attack rotated safeties, with the primary read progression going deep post first, then the underneath stop, then working back to the backside out route if the flood side is capped.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the safety is showing single high or two high since this concept is specifically schemed to punish single high cover 3 rotation. Post-snap, key the flow of the cornerback on the flood side; if he sinks with the corner route, the post window opens up behind him for the quarterback. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in a lurk position near the stop route depth, since that is the biggest threat to jumping the underneath route. If the defense shows two deep safeties pre-snap, expect the post to be taken away and the stop or backside out route to become the primary answer. Heavy blitz packages with man coverage on the outside can disrupt the timing of the post route, so watch for aggressive edge pressure that forces a quick throw before the post fully develops.
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety or rotated cover 3 shells before the snap since this concept is built to attack exactly that look with the deep post clearing space underneath.
Sell the play action fake fully before your drop back animation finishes so linebackers bite on the run action and open the passing lanes for the stop route and post.
If the cornerback on the post sinks too deep, hot route the stop route to a slant or hitch to keep the underneath window alive against tighter man coverage.
This play works best on second and medium or third and short to medium distance since the stop route gives a quick answer while the post stays available as a big play shot.
Pair this with PA Boot Lt earlier in a series so the defense respects play action rollouts, then come back to this flood concept to hit the post over the top once safeties start creeping up.
