Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 12 playbooks
Breakdown
Double Post out of Doubles Y Off Nasty lines up two receivers to the top of the formation running vertical post routes that stack the safeties, while the outside receiver runs a deep crossing route underneath them and the in-line tag runs a shallow drag across the field. The backfield stays in to pass protect, giving the quarterback a clean pocket to climb through as he reads the deep post routes first before working down to the crosser. This is a Cover 2 and Cover 4 beater built to attack the middle of the field with two vertical stems that collapse safety help, with the primary read progression going post to post before checking down to the shallow drag if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch the safeties pre-snap, if they are aligned deep and split wide it signals Cover 2 or Cover 4, both of which the double post is designed to exploit. Post snap, track the safeties as the posts break inward, if the safeties collapse and squeeze the throwing window it usually means the defense is playing Cover 4 quarters and jumping the vertical stems. Key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sinks deep into the throwing lane he can undercut both post routes and force a checkdown to the drag. Look for a user controlled safety sitting in the deep middle third, since this lurk defender is the biggest threat to jump the inside post before it clears. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the worst matchup for this concept since the posts have no natural separation against tight man technique with a deep half defender playing centerfield.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and medium when you expect two deep safeties, since the double post is designed to split Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells right down the middle.
Pre-snap, identify if the safeties are showing a two high shell before the snap, if they rotate to one high post snap you may need to hot route one post into a corner route to beat the remaining flat defender.
Use the shallow drag as your answer against Cover 3 or man coverage since it clears underneath and gives the quarterback a quick outlet if the posts are blanketed.
Pair this play with Zone Fake Jet or PA Y Cross in your play calling sequence so the defense sees similar formation looks and hesitates to jump the post routes.
Motion check the drag route runner into a flat route if you diagnose a blitz, since it turns the shallow route into a quick release valve against pressure.
