Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Post Cross out of Shotgun Empty Chips Tight is a five-wide man beater built on a deep post and a slot crosser stacked underneath it. The outside receiver to the post side stems vertically and breaks into a deep post to attack the middle of the field, while the inside slot receiver on the same side runs a deep crosser under the post to clear out zone defenders and create natural rub separation against man coverage. Both boundary receivers on the opposite side run go/vertical routes to hold the corners and safety deep, occupying the defense and preventing help over the top on the post.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap check safety depth and alignment, a single high safety cheating toward the post side is a green light to take the shot deep. Watch the slot cornerback and linebacker leverage on the crosser, if they crash inside hard on the underneath route they are vulnerable to the post breaking behind them. Post-snap key the middle linebacker or user defender dropping into the deep middle third, a lurking defender sitting in that throwing lane is the biggest threat to the post read. This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties since the post has no room to work behind the coverage. Blitz-heavy fronts that bring extra rushers off the edge can disrupt timing before the post and crosser fully develop, so check protection and be ready to hot route the underneath crosser into a quick option if pressure shows pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap identify single high versus two high shells because this play thrives against single high man or man match coverage where the post can split the safety. Look for the crosser to be your rhythm throw against zone since it settles into soft spots between linebackers and works well versus Cover 3 sink zones. Use the outside verticals as clock-killers to hold corners deep, then progress to the post if the safety bites on the crosser or if you see a rotation to the crosser side. This play pairs well with Mesh Spot or Out X Dig from the same set since both attack shallow to intermediate zones and disguise the deep shot tendency, keeping defenders honest before you dial up Post Cross for the explosive play. Best called on second and medium or third and long when defenses are more likely to sit in zone drops, giving the crosser and post time to develop.
