Playbooks

PA Slot Post

Shotgun·Spread Dbl Flex·11
PostCurlHitchStreakPass PlayPlay Action
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense SlotteamOffense

Breakdown

PA Slot Post is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex that uses the run fake to freeze linebackers before sending the slot receiver on a post route through the middle of the field. The 11 personnel grouping keeps a single back and tight end in to sell the run action while the outside receivers work shorter routes to hold corners and clear space for the post. This is primarily a man beater against single high safety looks, since the post attacks the seam vacated when the safety bites on the play fake, though it can also split zone defenders who overcommit to the run flow. The primary read progression starts with the slot post as the home run shot, then works to the underneath crossers or flat routes if the post window is closed by a deep safety staying home.

Defensive Reads

Read the free safety pre-snap, if he is aligned deep and centered in a single high shell this play has a strong chance to hit because the post only has one defender to beat over the top. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, shallow linebackers who step up hard on the play fake open a bigger throwing window for the post route behind them. Identify user-controlled lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field post-snap, a smart human safety can rob the post route if he reads the quarterback's eyes instead of biting on the fake. Beware of two high safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4, these coverages keep a safety over the top of the post and force the quarterback into the underneath progression. Watch for disguised blitzes off the edge, since play-action holds the offensive line longer and a well timed blitz can beat the protection before the post fully develops.

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment before the snap, this play is designed to punish single high shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3 where only one defender has to be manipulated by the play fake.

Sell the run action with the stick before snapping the ball if your controller allows it, since a hesitant or lazy play fake will not hold linebackers long enough for the post to develop.

Use this in early down situations like first and ten or second and short when defenses are more likely to respect the run fake and play aggressive downhill technique.

Pair this with HB Counter or Inside Zone earlier in a drive to establish run tendencies, then dial up PA Slot Post once the defense starts crashing linebackers on run reads.

If the deep safety stays home and takes away the post, work your check down to the underneath routes rather than forcing the ball into a covered post, since Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with disciplined safeties can sit on this concept.

Motion the slot receiver pre-snap if available to get a free look at man versus zone before the ball is snapped.

Other Plays in Spread Dbl Flex