Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Double Posts HB Zig is a five-wide man beater out of the Shotgun Empty Sketch Stack set that isolates two post routes from stacked receivers to attack the seams while the HB releases into a zig route as a checkdown and safety valve. Since the formation is empty, there is no dedicated pass protection back, so the offensive line is on full slide protection and this play works best when you get the ball out on time. The primary read progression starts with the near post out of the stack, works to the far post if the safety rotates away, and comes down to the HB zig against blitz or when both posts are covered.
Defensive Reads
Look for single high safety shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1, since the post routes will split the middle-of-field defender and create a natural void behind the linebackers. Watch cornerback depth at the snap, if corners are playing off coverage they are conceding the underdneath zig route, if they press you can expect the posts to win against man leverage. Identify Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties, this coverage forces the posts to sit down in the intermediate throwing lanes rather than breaking clean, so be ready to lead your receiver away from the safety. Key on user-controlled lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field, since a rover or hook defender can jump the inside post if the quarterback stares it down too long. Watch for blitz packages that bring five or more rushers, since empty formations have no extra blocker and quick pressure off the edge forces an early checkdown to the HB zig.
Usage Tips
Check safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties cheating deep, the posts will have to split the difference and you should target the post breaking away from the rotating safety.
Use the HB zig as your blitz-beater, since empty formations invite pressure and this route gets the back out quickly against man coverage or overloaded fronts.
Motion a receiver from the stack pre-snap to force the defense to declare man or zone, this gives you a clean pre-snap read on whether to attack the post or check down.
Pair this play with Verticals TE Option or Flood X-Swirl in your play-calling sequence to keep defenders honest on deep shots after you have hit the HB zig a few times underneath.
Best used on second and medium to long yardage, the double post shot has explosive potential while the zig route protects you from a negative play if the defense takes away the deep shots.
