Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn RZ X Post is a play-action style dropback concept out of Shotgun Wing Flex Offset with 12 personnel. Pre-snap motion brings a receiver across the formation before the snap, and the route diagram shows a deep out breaking to the sideline, an X receiver running the namesake post from the boundary, a corner route climbing up the seam from the slot, and a shallow drag crossing underneath from the opposite side. The primary read progression starts with the X post attacking the middle of the field, works to the corner route as the deep zone-stretch option, and checks down to the drag or the deep out if the post and corner are covered.
Defensive Reads
Check the free safety alignment pre-snap, since a single-high look tells you the post has a clear throwing lane while a two-high shell means the post will run into safety help. Watch the flow of the linebackers and nickel defender on the motion, since heavy man coverage rotation confirms you should target the post immediately off the snap. Track the corner route out of the slot against zone coverage, since a defense sitting in Cover 3 or Cover 4 will have a hard time getting width and depth on it. Beware disguised Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells that keep two safeties deep, as this can bracket the post and force you to check down to the drag or deep out. Look for blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge, since the quarterback needs time to let the post and corner routes develop, and a fast interior pressure will force an early checkdown.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, since a defender following the motion man across the formation confirms man coverage and opens up the post for a big play.
Attack single-high safety shells with the X post since it splits the seam behind linebackers and in front of the safety.
Hot route the shallow drag into a deeper crossing route against zone-heavy defenses if you need more separation underneath the corner route.
Call this on second and medium or third and long situations where the deep out and corner route can pick up a first down if the post is taken away.
Pair this with Mtn Cross X Post or Mtn Deep Flood earlier in a series so the defense has to respect both the post shot and the flood concept, making it harder to key on either route.
