Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Post Shot from Strong I Slot uses play-action to hold the linebackers before releasing a four man route concept designed to attack deep. The backside X runs a vertical post from the numbers, the slot receiver runs a deep dig style route breaking outside, and on the strong side the TE and flanker stack a corner route over a shallow drag/flat combo that stretches the field horizontally. This is a shot play built to beat man and single high coverage, with the primary read progressing from the backside post to the strong side corner route, and the flat route as the checkdown against a hard blitz.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment, since this play is built to exploit one deep defender who cannot cover both the post and the corner route. Watch cornerback depth on the strong side, tight press alignment signals man coverage and tells you the corner and drag combo should win against outside leverage. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sinks hard to wall off the post that opens the corner route or the flat as your next read. Diagnose blitz packages immediately off the play-action fake, since a hard edge blitz means you need to get the ball out fast to the flat or drag underneath. User a lurking defender in the middle of the field to jump the post route if you suspect the opposing quarterback is locking onto that first read in man coverage.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs in first and second and short to medium situations so the play-action fake actually threatens the defense with run action from the Strong I look.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see a single high safety cheating to one side, take the post route away from that rotation for an explosive shot.
Hot route the flat route into a quick out or speed out if you diagnose zone coverage underneath to give yourself a faster outlet against Cover 3 sink drops.
Pair this shot play with HB Power O and Inside Zone Wk earlier in a series so linebackers respect the run fake and bite on the play-action, opening up the post and corner routes downfield.
Avoid throwing into the post route against two high safety shells unless you have a clear pump fake or subtle user movement to freeze the deep defender first.
