Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Deep Post Corner out of Shotgun U Off Trips (12 personnel) isolates the boundary receiver on the backside with a vertical post while the trips side runs a corner route up top, a shallow drag underneath, and an outlet check release to the flat. The backside post and the trips corner route stretch the field vertically on the same half-field seam, forcing a single high safety to choose which deep route to help on, making this a clear Cover 2 beater and man beater. Blocking is a standard pass protection look with no extra help shown, so the primary read progression starts with the deep post against a single high safety, then works to the corner route if the safety rotates to take away the post, with the underneath drag as the checkdown against a hard squeeze.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety alignment first since a single high safety in the middle of the field is the biggest indicator this play will hit for a big gain. Watch cornerback press versus off coverage on the backside receiver running the post, since press man leaves him vulnerable to getting beat vertically if the corner cannot recover. Post-snap, key the deep safety's first two steps: if he flows toward the post you throw the corner route, if he sits in the middle of the field you throw the post. Cover 2 with a hard flat defender jumping the underneath drag can bait a bad checkdown throw, so do not panic into the shallow route if the safety has already rotated away from the deep shots. This play struggles against a true two deep shell like Cover 4 or Cover 2 Man where both safeties can play the post and corner routes simultaneously, and it can get shut down by a well timed disguised blitz that collapses the pocket before either deep route breaks open.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing single high or two deep safeties before the snap since this play thrives when there is only one deep defender to cover two vertical routes. Use the post as a hot read against Cover 3 or Cover 1 man where the safety has to respect the middle of the field, then progress to the corner route if you see the safety jump the post. Hot route the underneath drag into a quick out or spot route against zone heavy defenses to give yourself a faster checkdown when the deep shots are covered. This play works best on second and long or third and long situations where you can afford to let the deep routes develop and take a shot downfield. Pair this call with PA Post Shot or PA U Corner Flood earlier in a series to condition the defense to bite on shorter play action, then hit this deep shot once the safety starts creeping up.
