Playbooks
Mtn Slot Post is a motion-based dropback pass out of Shotgun Dbls Flex Y Off Close that uses pre-snap motion to create a natural pick or spacing issue for the slot receiver running the post. The concept pairs the post with underneath and outside routes to stress the middle of the field, making it a strong man beater since the motion forces the defense to declare man coverage or bump zone assignments. Primary read progression starts with the post as the number one option against single high safety looks, then works to the underneath crosser or flat route if the safety rotates over the top.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety in the middle of the field signals Cover 1 or Cover 3 and opens up the post window. Watch the slot defender during the motion, if he trails across the formation it confirms man coverage and the post becomes the priority throw. Look for a corner sitting on the post route in Cover 3, this signals a zone shell where the underneath option becomes the better read. Key the linebacker depth at the snap, shallow drops suggest zone coverage that can be beaten by settling routes into the void behind them. Watch for user lurk defenders sitting in the middle passing lanes since a smart user can rob the post throw, so double check the underdneath route as a checkdown if that defender squats.
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows across the formation you have a clean man beater with the post. Attack this play against single high safety shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3 where the post has room to split the safety and corner. Hot route the underneath route to a quick out or drag if you see press man corners jumping the post route on film. Pair this with Mtn Dagger Y In or Mtn Dig Under earlier in a drive so defenses respect the middle of the field and cannot sit on the post concept. Best called on second and medium to third and long when defenses are more likely to play two high shells that get exposed by the motion adjustment.