Playbooks
Mtn Post Curls is a motion-based passing concept out of Shotgun Wide Slot Right WK that combines a deep post from the boundary with a pair of curl routes underneath to attack both zone and man coverage. The pre-snap motion helps identify man versus zone before the ball is even snapped, and the post route stresses the deep middle while the curls sit down in the intermediate zones as an outlet. The primary read progression starts with the post if motion reveals man coverage or a rotated safety, then works down to the curl routes on the play side, using them as your check down against zone drops or if the post is capped by a deep safety.
Key the free safety pre-snap, if he stays deep and centered you are likely seeing Cover 3 or Cover 4 and the post route will need to be thrown with anticipation before the safety can rotate over Watch the motion defender crossing the formation, if he trails in man coverage that confirms Cover 1 or Cover 0 and opens up the post as a legitimate deep shot Look for underneath linebackers sitting in curl to flat zones, they will jump the curl routes in Cover 2 or Cover 3 so be ready to move to your check down or scramble Beware of disguised Cover 2 Man or Cover 4 Palm concepts, since the corner can sink under the curl while a safety help over the top on the post User controlled defenders sitting in the flat or curl zone are the biggest threat to this play, so watch the pursuit angle after the snap and adjust your route depth accordingly
Watch the motion defender before the snap, if he runs with the motion man across the formation you know you are getting man coverage and the post route becomes a live shot play down the field
Use this against single high shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3 where the deep post can split the safety and the corner on the backside
Hot route the shallow curl into a flat route if you are facing Cover 2 or Cover 4 to give yourself a faster underneath outlet against soft zone drops
Pair this call with Mtn PA X Post and Mtn Z In in your play calling sequence, since all three share similar motion and formation tells but attack different levels of the defense
Best used on second and medium to third and short situations where the curl routes give you a safe conversion option if the post is not open