Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Out of Shotgun Empty Base 11 personnel, Y Post sends the inline TE (Y) on a deep post from the right side while the outside receiver on that side runs an underneath drag crossing under the post. On the left side the two receivers run a mesh style cross with one settling into a shallow out and the other cutting back to the sideline, giving the quarterback a built in man beater against trailing defenders. This is a pure dropback pass with no run or RPO element, and the primary read is the Y post attacking the deep middle before working down to the underneath crosser and left side combo if the safety jumps the post.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment, since a single high safety cheating to the post side is the first sign the offense is hunting the deep middle throw. Post snap, key the middle linebacker or nickel dropping into the throwing lane, as a good zone drop underneath the post can bait the quarterback into a turnover. Watch for user controlled safeties sitting on the post route, since this play is vulnerable to a lurking defender reading the quarterback's eyes in the deep middle. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest weakness for the defense here, so if you see man alignment with a shaded safety rotated away, expect the post to be live. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers can disrupt the timing of the post before it breaks, so disguising pressure while still getting a body into the middle zone is the most effective counter.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing single high or two high safeties, since the Y post is designed to split the difference between the safeties in a one high shell. Against man coverage, trust the TE post to win on speed or leverage against a linebacker or slower safety in coverage. If you see press man on the outside receivers, consider hot routing the left side receivers into quicker breaking routes to get the ball out before the post fully develops. This play pairs well with Curl Flats or Stick out of the same set, since those quick game concepts look identical pre-snap but attack the shallow zones if the defense sits on the post. Use Y Post on second and medium or third and long when you need a chunk play, and lean on Four Verticals from the same formation as a change up to stress the safety even further.
