Playbooks

Cross Z Post

Shotgun·Trey Open·11

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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrey Open

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Cross Z Post is a man beat concept out of Shotgun Trey Open that isolates the Z receiver on a crossing post route designed to attack the middle of the field against man coverage. The trips side occupies underneath defenders while the backside or slot runs a complementary route to hold safety help, opening a throwing lane for the deep crosser once it clears traffic. Primary read progression starts with the Z post working across the field, then works to the underneath crosser or check down if the post is taken away by a deep safety.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high safety alignment pre-snap since that confirms the post has room to work against man or Cover 3. Watch the corner over the Z receiver at the snap, if he opens his hips and runs with the post rather than sinking into a zone drop that confirms man coverage and the post should win late. Key the middle linebacker or hook defender post-snap, if he sits and jumps the crossing route the ball needs to come out early before he can undercut the throw. This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties since the post runs directly into help, so be ready to check down if you see two safeties rotate deep at the snap. Watch for user blitzers off the edge since the post takes time to develop and a delayed pressure can collapse the pocket before the route clears the middle.

Usage Tips

Attack single high shells since the Z post thrives when there is only one deep safety to account for the crossing route. Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to see if the defense shows man or zone before the snap, and if you see two deep safeties consider hot routing the post into a shorter option. Hot route the underneath crosser into a spot route on third and medium to give yourself a safety valve if the post is jumped. This play pairs well with Y Cross and Mesh Dig in the same set since both concepts pressure the middle of the field and force linebackers to widen their drops, softening the post lane on later downs. Best called on second or third and long when defenses are more likely to sit in single high man or match zone.