Playbooks
Wdt Post is a wide trey post concept out of Shotgun Empty Trey Flex, using the empty backfield to spread the defense five wide and force conflict for the safeties. The post from the wide trey side is the primary read, stemming into the deep middle to attack the void behind a single high safety, while underneath crossers and a flat route occupy linebackers and hold zone defenders in the intermediate range. This is a man beater that punishes press or off man coverage on the post side, especially against a single high shell like Cover 1 or Cover 3, and the progression starts with the post before working down to the shallow crosser and flat option if the top is closed.
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing one high or two high safeties, one high alignment is a green light to trust the post route over the top. Watch cornerback leverage on the post side, inside leverage or press technique tells you the corner is trying to jump the route, so be ready to layer the throw over the top. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker or user controlled defender dropping into a deep hole zone, this is the biggest threat to the post since he can rob the throwing lane in Cover 3 or Tampa 2. If the defense shows Cover 4 or quarters, the post will likely get bracketed by the safety and corner, so be ready to check down to the shallow crosser or flat route instead of forcing it deep. Look for late blitz rotation from linebackers or slot defenders, since empty formations often trigger sim pressure or overload blitzes that force a hot throw before the post fully develops.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see one high safety shaded away from the trey side, the post has a clear window to work with.
Use motion sparingly here since the empty formation already declares the defense, but if the defense shows blitz off the motion, get the ball out quick to the flat or shallow route.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick slant or drag if you are facing zone coverage, this gives you a built in checkdown against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells that squeeze the post.
This play pairs well with Four Verticals in the same set, run Wdt Post first to bait the safety into jumping the post route, then hit Four Verticals later in the drive when that safety cheats up.
Best used on second and medium or third and long when you need an explosive gain, since the deep post takes time to develop and needs a clean pocket.