Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Poco is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Split Offset that sells the run fake before attacking the deep middle and sideline. The post corner route from the outside receiver breaks toward the post and then corners back toward the sideline, stressing the deep half of a Cover 2 shell, while an underneath receiver runs a shallow drag across the formation to give the quarterback a checkdown against pressure. The backside receiver runs a deep dig across the field as a secondary window, making this primarily a Cover 2 beater designed to isolate the safety on the post corner as the number one read, working back to the dig and then the shallow drag underneath.
Defensive Reads
Watch the post corner route as the primary key, if the safety flat foots on the run fake this route wins over the top against Cover 2 and Cover 3. Identify man coverage by checking if the corner mirrors the outside receiver at the snap instead of reading the backfield, which signals the dig route becomes the better window. Track the underneath linebackers on the shallow drag, if they crash hard on the play fake this crosser is wide open against zone blitz calls. Beat Tampa 2 or Cover 4 shells by hitting the dig route in the intermediate zone before the safety can fully sink and cap the post corner. Shut this play down with disciplined safeties who stay deep and read the quarterbacks eyes, since a lurking safety who does not bite on play action erases the post corner window entirely.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or manageable third and long situations where play-action freezes linebackers and safeties before they can rotate into their deep zones.
Check pre-snap for two deep safeties, if you see a Cover 2 shell the post corner has room to work against a single safety once he bites on the run fake.
Hot route the shallow drag into a spot or option route if you anticipate man coverage with a linebacker in a tough matchup underneath.
Pair PA Poco with Mtn PA Flood or PA Skinny Post from this same set so defenses cannot key on the play fake tendency and start sitting on the run.
Take a shot with the post corner on first down when the defense shows run blitz looks, since the play fake will hold linebackers just long enough to open the throwing lane.
