Playbooks
PA FB Flat is a play-action pass out of the Power I formation designed to punish linebackers who bite on the run fake. The fullback leaks into the flat as the primary target after selling the block, while the tight end and receivers work vertical and intermediate routes to hold the safeties and clear underneath space. This is a zone beater at its core, since it attacks the flat void left by linebackers flowing hard to sell the run action, and the primary read progression starts with the fullback in the flat before working up to the intermediate crosser or vertical shot if the linebackers sit and squeeze the underneath.
Pre-snap, identify linebacker depth, if they are stacked tight to the line expecting run, this play has a high chance of hitting the fullback wide open in the flat Watch for Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with linebackers responsible for flat drops, since a disciplined flat defender who does not bite on the run fake will erase the primary read Post-snap, key any user-controlled linebacker or safety flying downhill on the run fake, that lurk defender leaving the flat is exactly what this play is designed to exploit Blitz packages that send extra defenders through the box can be problematic since the fullback stays in to block on a delayed release, so check for overload blitzes pre-snap and consider a hot route or audible Cover 2 shells with a hard-charging strong safety can jump the flat route late, so have a citizen check to the crossing route as a bailout if the flat is clogged
Run this on early downs like first or second and short to keep the defense honest against the heavy run tendencies of the Power I set
Sell the run fake by pairing this call after two or three straight run plays like HB Blast or HB Lead Dive so linebackers key run and flow hard downhill
Check the flat defender pre-snap, if a corner or safety is sitting low in the flat area, hot route the fullback to a quick out or seam instead to avoid a jump route pick
Against man coverage look immediately to the intermediate crosser or vertical route since the fullback flat route is not a true man beater and will get tackled for minimal gain
Pair this call with PA Power O in your play-calling sequence so the defense cannot distinguish between the two play-action looks based on backfield action alone