Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Power O sells the Power O run action out of Singleback Wing Slot 12 personnel, then attacks vertically off the fake. The backside receiver runs a deep post that carries into a corner route up the numbers, the middle TE or slot works a shallow crossing route into a flat/out sitting at the sticks, and the outside receiver on the other side runs a vertical seam up the sideline. This is a play-action shot play designed to punish teams keying the run fit, with the primary read starting on the deep post/corner breaking against single-high safeties, then working down to the crossing route as the safety valve underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment since this play is built to exploit single high shells that commit to stopping the power run. Watch linebacker depth: if they are stacked tight to the line anticipating Power O, that confirms the play-action fake will hold them and the post/corner should be open. Post-snap, track any user-controlled defender flowing hard downhill on the run fake, since that is exactly the mistake this play is designed to punish with the vertical shot. Be wary of cover 2 or cover 4 shells with disciplined deep safeties who stay home, as they can undercut the corner route and force you to check down to the crossing route. Watch for a blitzing linebacker off the edge on the play fake side, since a hard contain blitz can collapse the pocket before the deep routes fully develop.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short when the defense is stacking the box to stop HB Power O or Off Tackle from this same set, since the run action is more believable. Check the safety alignment before the snap: if you see one high safety cheating up expecting run, take the deep post/corner shot immediately off the play fake. Against two high shells, work the crossing route underneath since the post/corner will be squeezed by the deep half defender. Hot route the vertical seam receiver into a deeper dig if you are getting soft zone coverage and need a controlled window read. Sequence this play after establishing HB Power O and Off Tackle a few times in the same drive so linebackers and safeties bite on the run fake, which opens up explosive play-action shots downfield.
