Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Post Shot from Flex Y Off Close in Shotgun uses play action to hold the linebackers before attacking downfield with a three level route concept. The outside receiver runs a corner route up the boundary while the slot receiver breaks across the field on a deep crosser that clears underneath, and the inside receiver bends into a post that splits the safeties. The remaining receiver runs a vertical seam to hold the flat defender and occupy the underneath zone, creating a shot play designed to beat single high and man coverage with the post as the primary read followed by the crossing route underneath.
Defensive Reads
Identify the safety alignment before the snap since a single high safety is the green light for the post route while two deep safeties signal you should look underneath instead. Watch the cornerback leverage on the post route runner, if he is playing outside shade with inside help the throw window closes fast. Key the play action fake on the linebackers, if they bite hard on the run fake the middle of the field opens up for the post and crosser. Look for a user controlled defender flowing to the deep middle since that lurk threat can undercut the post if the quarterback holds the ball too long. Against blitz packages, identify where the extra rusher comes from and get the ball out quickly off the play action since protection is designed for base fronts and can break down against exotic pressure.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in play action heavy sequences once you have established the run game with Inside Zone from this same set so linebackers respect the fake. Check pre-snap for single high safety looks since the post route thrives against one deep defender and struggles against true two high shells. If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, lead with the post read immediately off the play action fake. Against zone drops, work the deep crosser as your secondary read since it will find grass between the levels of a Cover 3 or Cover 4 shell. Pair this play with RPO Zone Alert and Curl Ohio in the same set to keep the defense guessing between run action and vertical shots off similar formation looks.
