Playbooks
Breakdown
PA Post Shot is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Tight Flex designed to hit a deep post for an explosive gain. The play-action fake to the running back holds the linebackers, then the outside receiver runs a deep post that crosses the field behind the linebacker level, while the underneath routes create a shallow crossing pattern and a flat route to hold zone defenders and the safety. The primary read progression starts with the deep post as the shot route, and if it is not open the quarterback works down to the crossing route and then the flat route as safety valves. This is a man beater against single high looks, since the post attacks the seam vacated by the deep safety, but it can also stress zone shells if the linebackers bite on the run fake.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, identify if the safety is rotating to single high or staying two high, since PA Post Shot is most vulnerable to two high shells that keep a safety over the top of the post. Watch the cornerback press or off alignment on the post route release, aggressive press man corners can disrupt the timing of the shot play. Post snap, key the play side linebacker's reaction to the run fake, if he sits and reads instead of stepping up, the underneath crossing route will be taken away. Look for a user controlled defender lurking in the middle of the field, since a rover or robber technique can jump the crossing route and the post simultaneously. Diagnose blitz packages pre snap, if extra rushers are showing on the play side the quarterback needs to get through his post read fast or check down to the flat route immediately.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see one high safety shading toward the boundary the post has a clean lane against man or single high zone coverage.
Sell the play-action by not snapping immediately into a drop back animation, let the fake hold linebackers for a beat before looking to the post.
Use this on early downs like first or second and long when defenses are more likely to respect the run fake and bite on the play-action.
If the corner sits deep in a two high shell, hot route the crossing route or flat route into a quick option since the post will be capped.
Pair this with Read Option or HB Draw earlier in a series so the defense keys run action, then hit them with PA Post Shot once linebackers start creeping up.
