Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Power O sells the Power O run action out of Pistol Wing Slot before releasing three receivers into a play-action pass concept. The backside TE runs a deep corner route up top, the outside receiver on that side runs a shallow drag across the formation, and the slot runs a quick out to the flat, giving the quarterback a vertical shot paired with two underneath outlets. This is a play-action man beater at its core, using the corner route to attack overplayed run fits or a single-high safety while the drag and flat routes give a check-down against blitz pressure or aggressive linebackers who bite on the run fake, with the primary read progression going corner route first, drag route second, and flat route as the checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Identify the safety alignment before the snap, single high shells with the safety creeping toward the box are prime targets for the corner route beating late run support. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the play-action fake, the drag route will be wide open behind them in the intermediate zone. Key the flat defender or slot cornerback, aggressive jumps on the flat route by a user controlled defender will leave the drag route uncovered underneath. This concept struggles against Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells with deep half safeties sitting on top of the corner route, since the vertical route has no room to work. Beware disguised blitzes off the edge, since the play-action drop takes extra time and a delayed pass rush or nano blitz can force a quick checkdown to the flat route.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs, ideally 1st or 2nd and short to medium, when you have already established HB Power O or Strong Power to make the run fake believable.
Check safety depth before the snap, if you see a single high safety or the box loaded up for run support, this is a green light to fire the corner route.
Use the shallow drag as a hot route answer against Cover 3 sky or Cover 1 robber looks where the corner route may get squeezed by an overlapping safety.
Pair this play in sequence with HB Slam or Strong Power to condition the defense to bite on run action, then hit them with this shot play once they start crashing down.
Against man coverage, trust the corner route versus a slower linebacker or safety matched up on the TE, since the vertical stem creates natural separation off the run fake.
