Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Posts out of Shotgun Ace Slot Offset is a dual post-route concept designed to attack the deep middle and split the safeties. Both outside receivers push vertically and break into posts at roughly 15-18 yards while the inside slot receivers run underneath crossers to hold linebackers and clear space, and the tight end runs a corner-breaking route on the left side to occupy the flat defender. This is a man beater and two-high safety beater, with the primary read progressing from the backside post (the red route) to the frontside post based on which safety rotates late, and the shallow crossers serving as the checkdown against heavy zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety alignment. Two-high shells with deep middle void are the most vulnerable to this concept since neither post has a natural defender waiting in the middle of the field. Cover 3 with a single high safety is the toughest shell to beat here since that safety can rotate over and rob one of the posts, so user control that safety immediately at the snap. Watch linebacker depth at the snap. If they sink hard into deep zones, the underneath crossers will be covered and you should target the post windows instead. Man coverage with off corners is a green light for the posts, especially if the corner has to turn and run without inside help. Disguised cover 2 or cover 4 shells that show two-high but rotate to single high post-snap can bait a bad throw, so key the safety with the most cushion and delay your decision until after the break.
Usage Tips
Look at safety depth before the snap. If both safeties are shaded outside the numbers or playing a two-high shell with soft leverage, the post routes will split them and create a throwing lane down the middle.
Use the backside post as your first read against man coverage since it has less traffic and a favorable angle if the corner is playing outside leverage.
Hot route the crossing routes to sit down against zone if you see linebackers dropping into deep hook zones, this turns them into easy zone beaters underneath.
Pair this play with PA Verts or PA Post Shot in the same set to keep the safeties honest on run action before hitting them with the double post shot.
Best called on second and medium or third and long when you need an explosive gain, since the deep developing routes need time to breathe against the rush.
