Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Power O out of Strong I Slot Flex sells the Power O run action to the strong side before the QB pulls and rolls into a play-action pass shell. Off the fake, the outside receiver runs a deep corner/go route splitting the numbers, the inline attachment breaks off a quick out to the flat, and the backside X runs a vertical stem up the seam toward the sideline. The blocking scheme keeps the fullback and offensive line selling down blocks and a puller for the Power look before settling into max protect, making this a play-action shot play designed to beat aggressive run support and single-high safety looks, with the primary read progression going deep corner route first, flat route second, and backside vertical as the checkdown release.
Defensive Reads
Read the strong safety and weak safety depth pre-snap, since a single-high safety rotating hard to the run side signals Cover 1 or Cover 3 and opens the deep corner route for a big play. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, since linebackers stepping up to fill run gaps confirm they bit on the play fake and vacate the intermediate zone for the flat route. Identify man coverage by checking if the slot defender mirrors the TE motion or alignment, since man coverage on the flat route can be exploited with a quick out or speed out hot route. This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells where two deep safeties stay home, since the deep corner route runs into help over the top and the primary read gets taken away. Watch for a user-controlled linebacker or safety sitting in a lurk technique over the flat route, since a disciplined user defender reading the QB's eyes can jump the flat route and undercut the shorter throw.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake fully by holding the ball and letting the play-action animation play out, since defenders keying run flow will bite on the Power O mesh point and open up the deep corner route.
Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and medium when defenses are stacking the box to stop HB Dive, HB Lead Draw or Power O run action from the same set, since your run game sets up the shot play.
Check pre-snap for single-high safety shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1, since the deep corner route wins one-on-one against a cornerback with outside leverage once the safety bites on run action.
Hot route the flat route into a quick out or speed out if you see man coverage with a slot corner pressed on the TE, giving you a faster answer against blitz looks.
Pair this play in sequence with HB Sweep or Counter Weak earlier in a drive to condition the defense to fly downhill, then dial up PA Power O to hit the corner route over the top for an explosive gain.
