Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Power O out of the Weak I H Wing set sells the Power O run fake to the offensive line and backfield before releasing three routes into a play-action shot concept. From the diagram, the two outside receivers run vertical routes that break from a shallow drag angle up the seams to the deep outside, essentially deep crossers that clear the middle of the field, while the underneath receiver runs a quick out breaking route to the flat as the shallow checkdown. This is a man beater and vertical shot play designed to punish aggressive run support and linebackers who bite on the play fake, with the primary read progression starting on the flat route to hold the underneath defender, then working to the two vertical breaking routes based on which safety rotates late.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake it confirms man or aggressive zone and the verticals will have room to work. Key the safety rotation post-snap, a single high safety cheating late to one side tells you which vertical route is the primary window. This concept beats man coverage and overly aggressive run blitzes because the play fake pulls defenders out of position before the routes break vertical. It struggles against disciplined two high shells or teams that stay in their run fits and do not bite on the fake, since that keeps numbers deep and takes away both verticals. Look for a user controlled linebacker sitting in a shallow lurk or spy, since that defender can undercut the flat route and force you into a tighter window on the verticals.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage so the run fake actually threatens the defense and freezes linebackers.
Check the defensive alignment pre-snap for stacked box looks or safeties creeping into run fits, since that tells you the play fake will hold defenders and open the verticals.
Hot route the flat runner to a hitch or speed out if you see a corner sitting at five yards to give yourself a faster underneath outlet against man coverage.
Pair this play with HB Power O and Toss Weak earlier in a drive so the defense keys run fits off the same look, then hit PA Power O when linebackers start crashing downhill.
Against zone shells, hold the ball an extra beat after the play fake to let the deep breaking routes climb into the void behind the linebackers rather than forcing an early throw.
