Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Post Shot out of Shotgun Trey Offset uses play-action to hold the linebackers before releasing three vertical routes into the defense. The two outside receivers push straight up the seam before breaking to posts, while the inside receiver runs a skinny post that angles inside earlier, creating a three-level shot concept designed to attack the deep middle. This is a man beater built for explosive plays, with the running back staying in to help sell run action and protect against the blitz, so the primary read progression starts with the deepest outside post and works inside to the shorter skinny post if the top is capped.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety alignment before the snap since Cover 1 and Cover 3 shells are most vulnerable to the double post shot. Watch the free safety's initial break at the snap, if he bites on the play-action fake, the post routes will have room to work behind him. Key on the flat defender and outside linebackers, if they sit on the run fake too long they will be late getting depth on the posts. Two deep safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4 shrink the throwing window, so user a rover or lurk defender to sit in the passing lanes and disrupt the skinny post. A fast interior blitz off the play-action fake can force a quick throw before the posts fully develop, so track blitzing linebackers and defensive backs creeping toward the line.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in shot-play situations where you are willing to take a shot instead of settling for a checkdown.
Look for single high safety shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3 pre-snap since the posts will split the safety and attack the void behind the linebackers.
If you see two safeties deep, hot route the skinny post receiver into a dig or hitch to avoid throwing into a squeezed window.
Use the run fake to freeze linebackers against aggressive run-flow defenses, then trust the deepest post if your outside receiver has a clean release.
Pair this play with Dagger or Verticals Y Drag earlier in a series so defenders start jumping underneath routes, opening up the post shot for a bigger explosive gain.
