Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA FB Flat is a play-action pass out of the Power I Strong formation that sells the FB Dive/Power O run fake before releasing two vertical routes and a flat route underneath. Off the play fake, both outside receivers push straight up the seams on deep routes while the fullback leaks out to the flat as the checkdown option, giving the quarterback a clear high-low progression. This is a play-action shot play designed to punish run-heavy defenses and linebackers who bite on the run fake, with the primary read starting on the fullback in the flat and progressing to the vertical routes if the underneath defender jumps the shorter throw.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, count the box defenders and check linebacker depth, stacked linebackers close to the line of scrimmage signal they are keying run and are vulnerable to the play-action fake. Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the intermediate middle zone, this defender can jump the fullback's flat route or undercut a seam if he reads the quarterback's eyes. Man coverage with linebackers matched on the fullback is the biggest advantage for this play since the vertical routes will win against slower defenders once the run fake creates a beat of hesitation. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with safeties staying deep and disciplined will limit the vertical shots, forcing the quarterback to live in the flat with the fullback as the safer outlet. Post-snap, if the defense shows a fast edge blitz off the play-action look, the quarterback needs to get the ball out quickly to the fullback since the protection is built for a run fake, not a full seven-man pass block.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs, especially first and second and short to medium, when you have already established the Power I run game with FB Dive, HB Blast, or Power O so linebackers respect the run fake and bite forward.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see two high safeties sitting deep the defense is likely soft on the run fake and the flat route to the fullback becomes your fastest, safest option against zone drops.
Against man coverage look immediately to the vertical routes since the play fake occupies the linebackers and creates natural separation on the seams, especially if a linebacker is matched on the fullback.
Use hot routes to adjust a vertical route into a comeback or dig if you diagnose a single high safety rotating over the top, this prevents your receiver from running into deep help.
Sequence this play after two or three straight runs from FB Dive or HB Lead Dive so the defense is conditioned to crash down, then hit them with this shot play to counter aggressive box defenders.
