Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Y Post out of Shotgun Split Y-Flex sends both outside receivers vertical on go routes to clear the deep zones and stretch the cornerbacks, while the TE runs the namesake post from the slot to attack the middle of the field. The single running back releases out of the backfield on a swing route to the boundary, giving the quarterback a checkdown against blitzes. This is a man beater designed to exploit the post route against off coverage or a safety cheating outside, with the primary read progression starting on the TE post, then working outside to the streaking receivers if the post window closes, and finally down to the swinging back as the last resort.
Defensive Reads
Play a single high safety alignment and drive downhill on the TE post before he crosses the numbers to undercut the throw. Bracket the TE with a linebacker underneath and a safety over the top if the offense shows this formation often, since the post is the clear go to route. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the middle hook zone or spying the TE release, as this is the primary lurk threat that can jump the post route. Corners playing press man on the outside receivers can disrupt the timing of the vertical clear out routes and force the quarterback to hold the ball longer. Cover 2 shells with safeties sitting deep take away the post window entirely and force the quarterback to check down to the swing route, so sit on that route if you diagnose this play pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and medium when you need a chunk gain over the middle against man coverage. Pre-snap, check for single high safety looks such as Cover 1 or Cover 3, since the two vertical routes will hold both safeties and open a lane for the TE post. If the defense shows two deep safeties pre-snap, consider hot routing the TE post to a shallow drag or audibling into Y Shallow Cross from this same set instead. Motion the TE across the formation before the snap to identify man versus zone based on whether a defender follows him. Pair this play with HB Slip Screen or HB Draw earlier in a drive to slow down aggressive linebacker blitzes, then come back to Y Post once the defense starts crashing downhill.
