Playbooks

Post X Curl

Shotgun·Spread Y-Slot·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Post X Curl is a man beating route combo out of Shotgun Spread Y-Slot 11 personnel that isolates the X receiver on a deep post while the underneath curl route settles into the void for a high low read against off coverage. The concept works as a two level stretch, attacking the deep middle first and giving the quarterback a quick check down to the curl if the post is capped by a deep safety. This is a pure passing concept with no run action or screen elements, and the primary read progression starts with the post route against single high looks before working back to the curl sitting at the sticks.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high safety alignment pre snap, this tells you Cover 1 or Cover 3 is likely and the post has room to work against a deep third defender Watch for the cornerback pressing at the line on the X side, hard press with no safety help over the top signals man coverage where the post can win with a clean release Read the flat defender post snap on the curl side, if he sinks too deep chasing the post the curl route will sit wide open underneath at the sticks Beware disguised Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells where two deep safeties can double the post route, in these situations rely on the curl as your primary target instead Watch linebacker depth at the snap, a linebacker sitting shallow signals zone drop responsibility that could jump the curl route if the quarterback hesitates

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see a single high safety shaded to the X side the post has a strong chance to win over the top

Use the curl as your checkdown against zone heavy shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 where the deep post gets taken away by the deep third or deep quarter defender

Hot route the curl runner into a flat route if you are facing a Cover 2 shell to stretch the flat defender horizontally instead of relying on the sit route

This play hits best on second and medium to second and long, giving the post enough field to threaten deep while the curl offers a safe underneath option on early downs

Pair this play with Curls or Digs H Option earlier in a drive to condition the defense into sitting on underneath routes, then dial up Post X Curl to hit the post over the top once safeties creep up

Other Plays in Spread Y-Slot