Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Power O out of Pistol Wing Flex sells the Power O run action to the strong side before the QB works a three level pass concept off the play fake. The backside X runs a deep post/go up the seam on the vertical red route, the TE releases on an out breaking route at intermediate depth (yellow), and the flanker runs a deep drift/dig underneath the safety while the fullback or nearside TE checks down to the flat on the blue route with a short crosser. The primary read progression starts with the vertical seam shot off play action, works down to the intermediate out, and settles on the shallow crosser as the checkdown against a hard sell of the run fake.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the strong safety is stacked in the box or cheating down to defend the Power O run action, that alignment tells you the play action will hold longer. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they crash hard on the run fake the intermediate out and shallow crosser will come open quickly underneath. Cover 3 and single high shells are vulnerable to the deep vertical seam route since the middle of the field safety has to respect run action first. Man coverage with underneath defenders biting on the play fake opens up the shallow crosser and flat route for easy conversions, look for a linebacker or nickel corner turning their hips to run with the run action. Beware of user controlled defenders sitting in the passing lane on the intermediate out route, disciplined zone defenses that do not bite on the fake can jump that route and blow up the second level read.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs when the defense has shown a heavy front or a linebacker crash tendency against Power O concepts to maximize the play action hold.
Check the safety depth pre-snap, if you see single high or the safeties biting hard on run action, take the shot on the vertical seam route immediately off the snap.
Hot route the shallow crosser into a drag or spot route against zone heavy shells to give yourself an easier underneath conversion throw.
Pair this with Mtn HB Power O and HB Slam earlier in a drive to condition the defense to respect the run fake, then hit this shot play once linebackers start flowing hard downhill.
Use this on second and short or third and short situations where defenses are more likely to sell out against the run, since the play action window opens up bigger throwing lanes.
