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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Slot Post is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Doubles that sells run action before attacking the middle of the field. Off the fake, the slot receiver runs a post that splits the safeties while the outside receiver on that side clears out vertically with a corner or go route to hold the corner and free up the post window. On the other side, the flanker runs an out and up double move while the backside receiver works a shallow drag underneath, giving the quarterback a checkdown if the post is not open. The primary read starts with the post, works to the double move for a shot play, and comes down to the underneath drag as the outlet against a hard sell from the defense.
Defensive Reads
Watch for two high safeties pre-snap, this shell squeezes the post throwing window and forces you to rely on the drag as a checkdown. A single high safety alignment is the green light for the post since there is only one deep defender to threaten the middle. Post-snap, key the play-side linebacker depth, if he sits at depth instead of biting on the run fake he can become a lurk threat sitting right in the post lane. Man coverage on the slot receiver is where this play wins big, since the post combined with the outside vertical clear-out creates natural separation against man defenders trying to trail. Watch for blitz packages that send extra defenders through the play-action fake, since the protection is built around the run look and can get overwhelmed if the offensive line does not account for a delayed blitzer off the edge.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in 2nd and short situations where linebackers are more likely to bite on the run fake and open up the post lane. Check the safety alignment pre-snap, if you see two high safeties sitting deep, the post has less room to work so lean on the drag or the double move on the opposite side instead. Against single high looks the post becomes the primary shot, since the play-action freezes the underneath defenders and the post can split the safety help. Hot route the backside drag into a deeper dig if you are facing zone heavy defenses that flood the shallow area with linebackers. Pair this with RPO Peek Slant or Inside Zone Read Opt earlier in a drive so the defense respects the run fake, then hit them with PA Slot Post once they start creeping linebackers into the box.
