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Breakdown
Slot Post Angle out of Shotgun Split Slot Open features a five man route concept with no protection help left in the backfield, so this is a quick timing pass rather than a play-action shot. The outside receiver to the left runs a deep out that breaks back toward the sideline, the inside slot receiver runs an angle route (out and up) to attack underneath zones, the tight end or inline receiver runs a vertical post to attack the middle of the field, the running back releases on an angle route out of the backfield, and the far outside receiver runs a simple corner route breaking to the sideline. This is primarily a zone beater because the angle route and RB check release create natural picks against underneath zone defenders while the post stretches deep middle coverage, though it also holds up against man due to the angle route's built in separation move. The primary read progression starts with the post route to see if the safety bites on the angle route or RB release, then works down to the angle route for the easy underneath completion, with the corner route as a boundary alert against single high coverage.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker and safety depth before the snap, if the safety is shaded to one side or sitting shallow at ten to twelve yards the post route will have a natural throwing window. Watch for a nano blitz or overload pressure look off the edge since there is no extra protection help, a well timed user blitz can force a quick throw before routes develop. Cover 3 with a single high safety is the most vulnerable shell here because the post route splits the seam behind the linebackers and in front of the deep safety. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties take away the post throw and force the quarterback to live underneath with the angle route and RB check release, which is a lower ceiling but safer outcome for the offense. If you are on defense, user the middle linebacker to shadow the post route's break point and drop a zone defender to wall off the angle route, this takes away both the primary and secondary reads and forces a checkdown or sack.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and medium when defenses are likely to sit in zone coverage since the angle route and RB release exploit soft spots underneath. Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell. Against two high, the post route becomes tougher to hit so lean on the angle route and RB check release for easy yardage. Against single high or Cover 3, the post has a clear throwing lane down the middle if you can climb the pocket. Hot route the corner route into a deep comeback if you are getting a hard press corner look on that side, since it gives you a built in adjustment versus aggressive man coverage. Pair this play with Dbl Slant or RPO Peek Slant earlier in a series to condition the defense into sitting on quick underneath throws, then hit the post route here once linebackers start jumping the shallow stuff. Use play action rollouts like PA Flood or PA Tulsa Pop from the same formation to keep the defense guessing between quick game and shot plays.
