Playbooks
PA Post out of the Wishbone Tight formation sells the fullback dive or HB lead look before the quarterback pulls and hits a deep post route stemming from the backside receiver. The offensive line executes run blocking steps to freeze linebackers and safeties, while the tight end and remaining backs release into shorter zone beater routes underneath to hold off flowing defenders. This is a play-action passing concept, and the primary read progression starts with the post as the number one option against single high shells, working down to the underneath crosser or flare route if the deep shot is covered.
Pre-snap identify whether the defense is stacked in the box expecting run, since heavy Wishbone Tight personnel often draws linebackers and safeties down near the line of scrimmage. Look for a single high safety rotation which confirms Cover 1 or Cover 3, both of which are vulnerable to the post route splitting the deep defender. If you see two safeties staying high in a Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell, the post gets squeezed and you should expect the quarterback to check down to the underneath route instead. Post-snap watch for a user controlled safety sprinting to the post read, since a smart defender will abandon zone integrity to jump the route once he reads play action. Beware of linebacker spy or delayed blitz packages that stay home on the run fake, since these often turn into user controlled lurk defenders sitting in the passing lane of the post.
Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to fully sell the run action since the Wishbone Tight personnel and heavy run tendencies from this set make defenses bite on the fake. Check the safety alignment pre-snap and only fire the post if you see a single high safety or Cover 3 shell, since two deep defenders will get a natural break on the throw. If the corner is playing a hard press look, hot route the post into a slant or speed out to counter man coverage without wasting the play action fake. Sequence this play after running Double Lead, HB Lead, or FB Trap a few times in the same drive so linebackers start keying run fits and safeties creep into the box, opening up the post window over the top. Avoid calling this on third and long since the play action mesh point eats clock and the sticks favor a faster developing route concept from this set like PA Boot.