Y Post from Shotgun Split Y-Flex sends both outside receivers on vertical routes to stretch the deep coverage while the tight end runs the middle post as the primary target, breaking hard toward the middle of the field to split the safeties. The backfield runs an out and up combo route to the left flat, giving a checkdown or man beater against aggressive corners. Both offensive tackles and the fullback stay in to protect, giving the quarterback a clean base to work through his read: post first, then work outside to the verticals or the out route in the flat.

Defensive Reads

Man coverage on the tight end is the biggest weakness of this play since the post has no natural pick or rub to create separation, so look for the TE to be uncovered or matched on a linebacker. Single high safety shells (Cover 1 or Cover 3) are vulnerable if the safety bites on either vertical route, opening the post for a big gap in the middle of the field. Cover 2 with two deep safeties can squeeze the post throwing window, so be ready to check down to the out and up route in the flat if the safeties stay split. Watch for a robber or spy defender sitting underneath in the middle of the field, since this is the primary counter to the Y Post route and will bait a risky throw into a pick six. Blitz packages that send extra rushers up the middle will pressure the quarterback quickly, so the outlet to the flat becomes essential to avoid a sack or forced throw.

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs or 2nd and medium when defenses expect run or a quick pass, since the deep post takes time to develop and needs solid protection.

Check pre-snap for single high safety looks, if the safety cheats to one side, the post has room to sit down in the opposite void.

Use the out and up route out of the backfield as a built-in hot route answer against man coverage or blitz looks where the middle read gets covered quickly.

Pair this play with Y Cross or PA Y Cross earlier in a drive so defenses respect the shallow crossing routes, then hit them deep with the post once linebackers start jumping underneath routes.

User the TE post route manually if you see a lurking linebacker sitting in the shallow middle to guide him through the traffic and separate before the safety can close.

Y Post

Quick Reference

In 1 playbook

Receiver routes

Read progression

Breakdown

Defensive Reads

Usage Tips

Other Plays in Split Y-Flex