Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Power O out of Strong I Tight uses the Power O run action as a play-action fake to hold the linebackers before releasing three receivers into a vertical stretch. The backside X runs a deep post/skinny post that cuts across the field, the inline TE releases outside and up the seam on a corner route, and the flanker on the line runs a flat route into a shallow drag underneath. This is a play-action man beater designed to isolate the seam runner against a linebacker or nickel in coverage, with the primary read progression starting at the corner/seam route, then working down to the crossing post, and checking the flat/drag as the outlet against a hard blitz.
Defensive Reads
Check the strong safety depth pre-snap since a shallow alignment signals run support and opens the seam corner route behind him. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the play-action fake the crossing post and seam routes will be wide open. Cover 3 and single high shells are vulnerable to the seam corner route stretching the deep third defender. Cover 2 with aggressive corners jumping the flat can be beaten by the deep post crossing behind them. Watch for a user linebacker spying the play-action fake or dropping into a lurk technique in the middle, as this can jump the crossing post route.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the play-action button through the fake so linebackers bite on the Power O action.
Use this on early downs like first and ten or second and short when defenses are geared to stop the Power O run.
If you see two deep safeties pre-snap, hot route the flat route into a deeper out or corner to attack the vacated flat zone.
Pair this with straight Power O and HB Blunt Dive in your play-calling sequence so defenses cannot key on run versus pass based on formation tendency.
Against man coverage, prioritize the seam corner route since it creates natural separation off the linebacker's run fit conflict.
