Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Deep Post out of Shotgun Trey Open lines up three receivers to the trips side with a lone receiver into the boundary. The backside X runs a deep post that splits the safeties, while the trips side stacks an out route breaking to the sideline, a deep crossing route working underneath from the far side, and a flat route from the innermost slot, with the running back releasing on a shallow drag away from the play. The primary read starts with the post against single high safety looks, then works to the deep cross if the middle of the field is closed, making this a man beater built to attack Cover 1 and Cover 3 shells.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety pre-snap, since that alignment tells you the post has a clean lane to split the defense. Watch the cornerback over the backside X at the snap, if he opens his hips to run with the post before the ball is thrown you know it is man coverage and the throw window is tight. Key the middle linebacker's drop depth after the snap, a shallow drop signals zone and opens the deep cross as the better throw, while a deep drop straight up the middle means he is sitting on the post. Diagnose blitz packages by checking if the defense brings extra rushers off the edge, since a hot post throw can beat pressure before the safety can rotate over. This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties splitting the field, and it gets shut down by user controlled safeties who bait the throw and jump the post route.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for single high safety alignment before the snap, since the post route is designed to split a Cover 1 or Cover 3 shell down the middle. If you see two deep safeties or a clear Cover 2/Cover 4 shell, hot route the post to a comeback or bench it for the play clock and check to Curls or Y Corner instead. Use the deep cross underneath as your answer against zone coverage that rolls to take away the post, since it settles into the void vacated by the middle linebacker. Pair this play with Curls or Quick Slants earlier in a series to condition the defense to sit on shorter routes, then hit the post once safeties start creeping up. Best called on second and long or first down shots when you have a one on one matchup on the backside X against a cornerback without safety help over the top.
