Playbooks

X Post

I Form·Pro·21

Post Pass Play In Swing

Play diagram for X Post from I Form Pro in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationI Form

SetPro

Personnel

212 RB · 1 TE · 2 WR

In 5 playbooks

Franchise HS Run OffenseOffense Bills OffenseOffense Madden OffenseOffense Two Back OffenseOffense NFL Live Bills OffenseOffense

Breakdown

X Post out of Pro I Form (21 personnel) sends the X receiver on a deep post that splits the safeties, while the Z runs an out and up the sideline to hold the corner and clear the post window. Underneath, the TE runs a deep in/dig crossing the field and the HB releases out of the backfield on a wheel route to attack the flat and sideline, giving the quarterback a full field stretch from deep to shallow. This is a man beater designed to exploit any single high look or press man coverage, with the primary read progression going X post first for the explosive shot, then working down to the TE crosser, and finally the HB wheel as the checkdown or matchup exploit against a linebacker.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify whether the safety is aligned deep middle or has rotated to a two high shell, since a single high safety is the green light to trust the post. Watch the cornerback over the X receiver, if he is in press man with no help, the post should win quickly, but if he is playing off with outside leverage, expect a longer developing throw. Post-snap, track any user controlled defender flying down to lurk the deep middle, since a rover or spy sitting in that throwing lane can bait a bad decision. Zone coverage with two deep safeties and underneath defenders sinking will clog the post read, so shift focus to the TE crossing route working through the intermediate zone voids. Watch for linebackers blitzing off the edge or up the middle, since the HB wheel out of the backfield can be a natural answer if the protection breaks down and the underneath defender bites on the run fake.

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs or in shot situations when you have identified a single high safety pre-snap, since the post has room to work between the numbers.

Check corner alignment before the snap, if you see press man with no safety help over the top, live throw the X post immediately after the play fake or drop.

Use hot routes to release the FB into a check release or extra protection if you are seeing an overload blitz look, since this route combo takes time to develop.

Pair this with HB Stretch Alert X Lookie and Slant And Go's in the same personnel to keep defenders guessing between run action and vertical shots off similar formation looks.

Against zone shells, look to the TE dig sitting in the intermediate window rather than forcing the post, and use the HB wheel as a answer against man coverage linebackers who cannot stay in phase.