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Breakdown
Mtn Outs Z-Post comes out of Shotgun Tight Slots HB Wk with 11 personnel and shows pre-snap motion into the backfield. Post snap, the play displays a five man route concept: the left outside receiver runs a deep out breaking away from the formation, the slot runs a corner style route flaring out of the break, the tight end works an out breaking toward the sideline off a vertical stem, and the Z receiver on the right side threads a deep post through the middle of the field while the underneath out route clears the flat. This is a man beater built around high low leverage, using the outs to stretch the flat defenders horizontally while the Z-Post attacks the void behind them, so the primary read progression starts with the post shot off the top read then works down to the intermediate out and finally the underneath out or check to the back if the post is capped.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check the safety alignment, a single high safety cheating to the post side signals man coverage or a Cover 3 rotation that is vulnerable to the post shot. Watch the corner over the motion man, if he mirrors the motion late it is a strong indicator of man coverage and you should key the post route for the big play. Post-snap, track the strong side linebacker or nickel defender who has to cover the tight end's out route, any hesitation or late reaction there opens a window for the quick game answer underneath. This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties since they can help over the top of the post and squeeze the throwing window. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the deep middle third or playing a lurk technique underneath the post, as this is the primary counter that shuts down the top read and forces the check down.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you have a green light to hunt the post. Take the shot on the Z-Post first in any single high shell since the post will split the safety and the underneath outs clear out the shallow defenders. Against two high safeties, work the sideline out routes first since the post has less room to operate against a deep half defender sitting on top. Pair this play with Mtn Mesh Traffic or Mtn Dig X-Corner in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect both underneath crossers and vertical shots from the same formation look. Best called on second and medium or third and long when you need a explosive play answer against a defense playing off coverage or soft zone.
