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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
PA Spot out of Strong I Jumbo runs a play-action fake to the backfield before working a classic Spot concept to the closed side with a deep corner route stretching the top of the defense. Off the fake, the two receivers to the closed side run a flat/spot combo underneath while the flanker attacks vertically up the sideline, and the tight end releases into a short flat route as the checkdown. The primary read is the corner route against Cover 3 or Cover 2 shells, working down to the spot route sitting in the hole underneath if the corner is capped, and finally the flat as the last resort against pressure. This is a zone beater built to punish linebackers and safeties who bite on the run fake out of a heavy Jumbo personnel look.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high versus two high safety alignment before the snap to determine whether the corner route or the underneath spot route will be open. Watch for an aggressive flat defender or cornerback who jumps the underneath spot route, which opens a throwing lane for the corner route behind him. Key on linebacker depth and run fits since this play is designed to exploit linebackers stepping up on the play-action fake out of a run heavy Jumbo formation. User the deep third defender to Trace or Bracket the corner route in Cover 3, forcing the quarterback to check down to the spot or flat. Blitz packages that bring extra defenders from the strong side can beat this play if the play-action fake does not hold long enough, so disguise pressure or bring a nano blitz to disrupt the timing before routes develop.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the play-action animation before your eyes go to the corner route, since defenses that respect Jumbo personnel tendencies will bite hard on the fake.
Use this on early downs or short yardage situations like 2nd and short where defenses expect run out of Strong I Jumbo, maximizing the play-action hesitation from linebackers and safeties.
If you see Cover 3 pre-snap with a single high safety, lock onto the corner route immediately since it is designed to split the deep third and the flat defender.
Against Cover 2 shells, work the spot route underneath the corner route since the deep half safety will have help over the top on the vertical shot.
Pair this with HB Dive or Inside Zone Wk earlier in a series to set up the play-action fake, then call PA Spot once the defense starts crashing downhill on run keys.
