Playbooks
Breakdown
PA Slot Corner-Post is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Wing Trio that attacks the middle and outside thirds of the field with two vertical routes stacked on the right side. The outside receiver runs a corner-post that breaks toward the flag before working back to the post read, while the inside slot receiver climbs vertically and bends into a corner route behind him, creating a natural high-low stretch on the deep defenders. The backside receiver runs a shallow drag underneath while the running back fakes the handoff and releases into a check-release flat route, giving the quarterback a built-in outlet if the double vertical shot is covered. Primary progression is corner-post first, then the underneath corner route, and finally the drag or flat as the checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Identify single-high safety alignment pre-snap since that tells you the deep half or deep third defender will be outnumbered by the two vertical routes on the right side. Watch the flat and curl defenders after the play-action fake to see if they bite on the run action, which opens the underneath drag and flat routes immediately. Key on the deep safety's break point after the snap, if he shades toward the post route the corner behind him will be wide open in the boundary. This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells where two deep defenders can split the vertical stack, so expect the corner route to be the higher percentage throw in that look. User a rover or lurk defender in the middle of the field to sit on the post breakpoint and bait the quarterback into the corner throw for a potential turnover opportunity.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or second and medium when defenses are more likely to bite on the play-action fake and load the box. Look for single-high safety shells pre-snap since the two-man vertical stack on the right overloads one deep defender in Cover 1 or Cover 3. If you see two safeties deep, hot route the post-corner runner to sit down or work the drag first since the corner-post will be squeezed by a deep half defender. Pair this play with Y Flood or Orbit RPO Peek Y Flat in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the shallow flood and the deep shot concept from the same formation look. Take a shot with this on play-action heavy sequences after establishing Inside Zone or GT Read Option to freeze linebackers and open the vertical passing lanes.
