Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Post Shot out of the I Form Wing set is a shot play built around a deep post from the outside receiver paired with two underneath crossers working from the formation strong side back toward the weak side. The X receiver runs a vertical release into a post that splits the deep middle, while the two other routes (a deep out/comeback breaking away at intermediate depth and a shallow drag underneath it) clear space and give the quarterback options if the post is not open. This is a man beater at its core, using the post to attack single high safety looks and the crossers to create natural rub separation against man defenders, though it can also work against zone if the post splits the deep hole. Primary read progression starts with the post shot to the X, then works down to the deep crosser and finally the underneath drag as a checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the safety is aligned deep middle (single high) or split (two high), since that dictates whether the post or the deep crosser is the better answer. Watch cornerback depth on the post side: if the corner is playing tight man with no safety help over the top, the post has a strong chance to win. Post-snap, key any user-controlled defender dropping into the middle of the field or sitting as a lurk defender, since that player can undercut the post route. Look for linebackers sinking into the crossing route's lane, which signals zone coverage and means the underneath drag becomes the more reliable option. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers and leave man coverage on the outside are where this play is most dangerous, so watch for overloaded fronts pre-snap as a green light to trust the post.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in shot-play situations like 2nd and medium when you want an explosive gain without giving away obvious pass down tendencies. Check the safety alignment before the snap: if you see a single high safety, throw the post with anticipation as soon as the receiver clears the linebacker level. If the defense shows two high safeties, look to the deep crossing route since the post will likely be capped. Use hot routes to adjust the underneath drag into a spot route against zone heavy defenses to give yourself a hot underneath option versus soft coverage. Sequence this play with HB Lead or HB Power O from the same I Form Wing set to sell run action first, then come back to Post Shot once the defense starts loading the box.
