Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Post Shot from Shotgun Ace Slot Offset uses play-action to hold the linebackers before releasing a three-level route combo to the left side. The outside receiver runs a deep vertical up the sideline, the slot receiver breaks into a deep post over the middle, and the inner route works a deep dig back across the field, creating a natural clear-out for the post to hit the void behind linebackers and in front of safeties. This is a shot play designed to attack single-high and man coverage, with the post as the primary read and the crosser underneath as a hot beater if the safety jumps the post.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single-high versus two-high shells since this play is a Cover 3 and Cover 1 beater that struggles against sound two-deep zone. Watch the strong safety depth and rotation, if he sits shallow or bails late he can undercut the post before it clears the linebacker level. Key the flow of the linebackers on the play-action fake, if they bite hard on the run the post window opens immediately behind them. Post-snap, track any user-controlled defender lurking in the middle of the field since that player can jump the post route or the deep crosser. Against man coverage, watch for a corner playing outside leverage on the post receiver, which signals a possible bracket or safety help over the top.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or after establishing inside zone and RPO Alert Bubble to sell the run fake and freeze linebackers on the play-action.
Check pre-snap for single-high safety alignment, this play is built to attack Cover 3 and Cover 1 where the post has room to split the safety and the corner.
If you see two deep safeties or Cover 4, hot route the vertical into a shorter comeback or peek the deep crosser sooner since the post window will be tighter.
Use the deep crosser as your first alert against man coverage if the defense rotates a safety over the post before the snap.
Sequence this shot play off Posts or PA Verts earlier in the drive so the defense respects the play-action and hesitates on their run fits, opening the post lane.
