Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Deep Post Switch aligns out of Pistol Tight Y Off Flex with 11 personnel, showing two outside receivers running a switch release into vertical stems that break into deep posts crossing toward the middle of the field. The tight end runs a deep crosser from the opposite side that sits underneath the posts, working across the field as a shallow drag/dig option, while the back releases on a wide corner route out of the backfield and a slot defender runs a short pivot or option route in the underneath middle. This is a man beater built around the switch release to create natural picks and separation against man coverage, with the primary read progression starting at the switch post concept to the play side, working to the deep crosser coming across if the posts are covered, and checking down to the wide corner route from the backfield as the outlet.
Defensive Reads
Presnap, check safety depth and spacing, since a two high shell with corners playing off man can bait you into throwing the post into a robber underneath. Watch for user controlled safeties sitting in the deep middle third, as they can undercut both post routes if the quarterback stares down the switch concept too long. Key linebacker depth and width, since a linebacker sitting in a hook or curl zone can jump the deep crosser from the tight end if the quarterback telegraphs the throw. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the ideal matchup, since the switch release creates natural separation and picks defenders trying to stay in phase. Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with disciplined deep defenders are the toughest matchups, since the post routes run into coverage rather than away from it, forcing the checkdown to the backfield route.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or in second and long situations where you have room to test a deep shot without abandoning the drive on an incompletion.
Presnap, identify if the corners are showing hard man alignment or if safeties are rotating to a two high shell, since the switch release is designed to confuse man defenders and create natural rubs.
If you see man coverage with a single high safety, trust the switch post concept immediately and look to hit the receiver who wins the pick on the release.
Against zone coverage, work the deep crosser from the tight end as your primary zone beater since it settles into the void between underneath and deep zones.
Pair this play with Wheel Switch or Bench Switch in the same set to keep the defense guessing on switch releases, then mix in Cheat HB Zone or HB Zone Wk to balance run and pass tendencies.
Use the backfield wide corner route as a checkdown against heavy pressure or when the deep routes are blanketed, especially on third and medium.
