Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Shot Post is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Tight Slots that hits off a run fake to sell the defense before releasing three verticals into the secondary. The outside receiver runs a deep post that breaks across the middle of the field, the slot receiver from the bunch runs a corner route stemming to the sideline, and both boundary receivers stretch the field on deep outs at the numbers. This is a man beater designed to attack single-high safety looks and press coverage, with the primary read progression starting on the post for the explosive shot, working to the corner route as the second read if the safety jumps the post.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety depth before the snap, if he is sitting shallow in a single-high alignment the post route has a clear window to attack behind the second level. Watch linebacker depth after the play-action fake, if they bite hard on the run fake the middle of the field opens up for the post throw. Identify press man coverage on the outside receivers, since this play is built to beat man coverage with the post and corner combination working against tight technique. Key on any user-controlled defender dropping into a deep middle lurk, as that player can undercut the post route if the quarterback does not move him with eyes or a pump fake. This play struggles against two-high shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4 where safeties can sink into the post and corner routes, so check for that alignment and consider an audible if you see it.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or in shot situations where you are willing to take a deep-ball risk for a big chunk gain.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap: a single-high shell tells you the post has room to work behind the linebackers, while two-high safeties should push your eyes to the corner route instead.
Hot route the backside deep out receiver into a shorter option like a curl if you need a safety valve against zone coverage that sits underneath.
Sell the play-action fake by holding the snap button momentarily so the linebackers bite on the run action, opening the throwing window over the middle.
Pair this play with Mtn Bench Snag N Go or Stick from the same set to keep defenses honest on shorter routes before coming back to this shot play for the home run.
