Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Orbit PA Post is a play-action shot play out of Pistol Weak Slot that uses orbit motion from the backfield to sell run action before the quarterback pulls and rolls out. Off the fake, the play sends a deep post from the outside receiver, a corner route breaking to the boundary from the slot alignment, and a comeback/curl from the motion man in the flat area, with the running back releasing on a shallow crossing route underneath. The line and remaining backfield personnel pass protect on the play-action fake, and the primary read progression starts with the deep post, works to the corner route in the middle of the field, and comes down to the crossing shallow route as the checkdown against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Check for a single high safety pre-snap, since two high shells with squatting corners take away the deep post and corner combo. Watch the flow of the linebackers on the orbit motion, if they widen out to cover the motion man it opens a running lane underneath for the crossing route. Man coverage on the outside receiver is vulnerable to the post since the play-action fake slows initial safety rotation. Zone defenses that sink their corners into deep thirds can undercut the corner route, so be ready to reset to the shallow crosser if the middle is clogged. User-controlled defenders sitting in a lurk spot over the middle can jump the corner route, so scan for a spy or rat defender before committing to that throw.
Usage Tips
Use the orbit motion pre-snap to identify if the defense shifts a linebacker or safety, which reveals man coverage versus zone.
This is a strong shot play on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when you want to attack a single high safety look off play-action.
Hot route the shallow crossing route into a drag if you expect quick pressure, giving the quarterback a faster outlet against blitz-heavy defenses.
Pair this call with HB Dive or HB Slam earlier in a series so the defense respects the run fake and bites on the orbit motion, opening the post and corner routes.
Roll the pocket away from a user blitzer if you see them creeping to the play-action side, since the rollout naturally buys extra time against edge pressure.
