Playbooks
Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Power O sells the Power O run action out of Weak I Slot Open, holding the linebackers with the fake before releasing three routes into the pattern. The outside receiver runs a deep dig that breaks in around 15 yards, the inside slot receiver runs a corner route to the boundary, and the flanker on the play side works a vertical seam up the numbers. This is a play-action shot play built to beat zone coverage, using the run fake to hold underneath defenders while attacking the deep middle and sideline, with the primary read starting on the vertical seam before working back to the dig if the safety carries it downfield.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two deep safeties or a single high shell, since Cover 2 and Cover 3 zone shells are where this concept does the most damage. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake it confirms the play action window is open and the seam route should come open behind them. Post-snap, key the safety over the seam route, if he sits flat or drives downhill on run action, the quarterback should hit the seam immediately before the window closes. Man coverage with press corners can be an issue on the corner route to the flanker, so watch for a user defender jumping that route early. Blitz-heavy calls with man coverage behind them are the biggest threat to this play since the deep routes need time to develop, so recognize A-gap or edge pressure pre-snap and consider a hot route or check into a quicker throw.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs when you have already established Power O and Off Tackle from this set so the linebackers respect the run fake and bite on the play action.
Check for two deep safeties pre-snap, this play is designed to split zone defenders with the seam and dig combo, so single high looks may require a hot route adjustment to a shorter concept.
If the corner jumps the deep dig route, come off it quickly and look for the vertical seam route working behind the linebackers into the void.
Use this play sparingly in third and long since the play fake eats up clock and defenders will be less likely to respect run action when the down and distance screams pass.
Pair this with HB Draw or Quick Slants earlier in a series so defenders key run and linebackers stay shallow, setting up this shot play to hit explosively over the top.
