Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Post out of Shotgun Bunch (11 personnel) shows a play-action fake to hold the linebackers before the QB works a three level route concept to the bunch side. The inside receiver runs a deep post that splits the safeties, the middle bunch receiver runs a deep out breaking away from the formation, and the outside bunch receiver runs a shallow crosser underneath heading opposite the post. This is a man beater built to attack single high or man coverage, with the post exploiting any cushion or leverage error while the shallow crosser gives the QB a quick answer versus blitz. Primary read progression starts with the post shot down the field, then works to the deep out, and checks down to the shallow crossing route if the top of the coverage stays intact.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety alignment pre-snap, two deep safeties signal zone coverage that will squeeze the post window, one deep safety signals man or single high that the post can exploit. Watch the cornerback press or off alignment on the bunch side, off coverage gives the post more room to break inside while press coverage means the shallow crosser becomes the quicker answer. Key the linebacker depth after the play-action fake, if they bite hard on the run fake the middle of the field opens up for the post and dig window. Beware of a user controlled defender sitting in a deep third or robber spot since that lurk threat can undercut the post route if the QB stares it down. This play struggles against Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells with disciplined safeties, and it gets shut down by an aggressive nano blitz that beats the play-action fake before the post can develop.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into biting on the play-action fake before the post route stems vertically.
Identify single high shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1 pre-snap since the post has the best chance to split the safety and beat a trailing corner.
If the defense shows two deep safeties, hot route the post to a dig or hitch since the post window shrinks against Cover 2 or Cover 4.
Pair this play with HB Base or Inside Zone earlier in a drive so the play-action fake sells against defenses keying on run tendencies in similar down and distance.
Best called on second and medium to second and long where defenses respect the run fake but have not yet sold out to stop deep shots.
