Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Shot Post is a play-action deep shot out of Singleback Ace 12 personnel. Off the play fake, the outside receiver runs a deep post from the boundary while the slot receiver on the opposite side works a corner route up the sideline, creating a natural high low stretch on one deep half safety. The backside receiver runs a quick out to hold underneath defenders and give the quarterback a checkdown if the shot is covered. The primary read starts with the post, works to the corner route if the safety jumps the post, and comes down to the out route as the last resort against tight coverage.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety alignment pre snap since that tells you the post has one defender to beat instead of two. Watch the corner route side cornerback depth, if he is playing tight man press he can be beaten easily by the corner breaking outside. Post snap, key the middle linebacker and see if he bites on the play action fake, that hesitation is what opens the post throwing lane. Look for user controlled safeties sitting in a lurk position over the deep middle, that is the biggest threat to jumping the post route and turning it into a pick six. Zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with a deep middle defender sinking under the post are the best way to shut this concept down since it removes the vertical window entirely.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or in shot play sequences when you have already established the run game to freeze linebackers on the play fake.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, single high shells with the free safety sitting in the middle of the field are the best trigger for this concept since the post can split the safety.
If you see two deep safeties pre snap, be ready to work the corner route instead of forcing the post into a two high shell.
Pair this play with HB Stretch or Inside Zone earlier in a series so the play fake actually holds the linebackers and opens the post window.
Use the out route as a built in hot route answer versus aggressive man pressure or blitz looks where the corner routes take longer to develop.
