Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 12 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Post Dig runs out of Singleback Bunch X Nasty with play action to sell the run fake before the quarterback works the pass concept. The backside X receiver breaks off a deep post to attack the middle of the field while the bunch releases with one receiver running an out to the boundary and a second working a dig across the field underneath the post, creating a natural high low read on any hook or curl defender sitting in the throwing lane. This is a man beater at its core since the post and dig combo stresses inside leverage defenders and creates natural separation against man coverage, but it also holds zone defenders with the levels concept if the underneath defender bites on the play fake. Primary progression starts with the post for the explosive shot play, then comes down to the dig as the intermediate answer, with the out route serving as the checkdown against soft coverage.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker or the deep safety rotation immediately after the snap to determine if the defense stayed home on the play fake or crashed down on the run look. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the passing lane between the post and dig, since a rover or lurk defender can jump the dig route if the quarterback is late in the progression. Identify Cover 3 cloud or Cover 4 shells pre snap since these coverages roll a corner or safety over the top of the post, taking away the shot play and forcing the checkdown to the dig or out. Look for zone blitz pressure off the edge, since PA Post Dig relies on a clean pocket for the quarterback to climb through his reads on the deep post and dig combo. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the best case scenario for the offense, since both the post and dig create natural separation against tight man defenders trailing from the bunch alignment.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when you have already established the run game with Inside Zone Split or HB Dive to sell the play fake and freeze linebackers.
Check pre snap for single high safety looks since the post route has room to work against Cover 1 or Cover 3 shells where the middle of the field defender has to respect the dig underneath.
If you see two high safeties pre snap, be ready to work the dig route quickly since the post will likely be capped by the deep half defender.
Pair this call with PA Post Curl Shot or PA Cheat Wheel Post earlier in a drive so the defense has to respect multiple post shots off similar play action fakes, opening up the dig as the counter read later in the game.
Best used on second and medium or first and ten to keep defenses honest against the run while still attacking vertically off play action.
