Playbooks
Breakdown
PA Cntr Shot Post fakes the counter run action out of Weak I to freeze the linebackers before attacking downfield. Off the play-action mesh, one outside receiver rips a deep post up the seam while both remaining receivers run crossing routes underneath to clear out space and give the quarterback a shallow checkdown option. The primary read starts with the deep post against single-high safety looks and works down to the two crossers if the post is capped, making this a man beater over the top with zone beater elements underneath.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a single deep safety pre-snap, this is the green light for the post route since there is no help over the top. If linebackers crash hard on the counter action and vacate the middle of the field, the post window opens up immediately once the quarterback resets his eyes downfield. User-controlled defenders sitting in a deep third or playing a lurk technique in the intermediate middle can jump the post route, so watch for a defender sinking early instead of biting on the run fake. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two safeties deep are the toughest look for this play, since the post has no room to work behind the safeties and you should progress to the crossing routes underneath. Blitz packages that send extra defenders will speed up the mesh read, so check for slanting linebackers or an overload front pre-snap and be ready to get the ball out on the shallow crosser quickly.
Usage Tips
Sell the counter fake by holding the ball at mesh point as long as possible, this is what freezes linebackers and opens the post against man coverage.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see single-high or Cover 3 the post has a clean throwing lane, but against two-deep shells you need to be ready to work the underneath crossers instead.
Use this shot play on early downs (first or second and short to medium) when defenses are more likely to respect the counter run fake and bite on the play-action.
Pair this with FB Power or Counter F earlier in a series so the defense keys run action, then dial up PA Cntr Shot Post to punish overaggressive linebackers.
If the corner over the post receiver is playing off man or shows late safety help, hold the ball an extra beat and let the post clear the underneath traffic before releasing.
