Playbooks
PA Double Post
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Double Post runs off play action out of Shotgun Wing Slot Offset with 12 personnel, showing a red fake-carry fake to sell the run before the QB resets to throw. The route concept features both outside receivers stemming vertically into deep post routes that converge over the middle, while the inline receiver runs a corner-breaking route underneath them and the remaining slot receiver checks down to a shallow drag across the formation. This is a play-action shot play built to attack two-high shells, with the primary read starting on the double post stack to identify which safety commits, then working down to the corner route and finally the drag as the checkdown against Cover 2 and Cover 4 defenses.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is in a two-high shell, this play is designed specifically to exploit Cover 2 and Cover 4 safeties who have to choose which post to help on. Post-snap, key the safeties immediately off the play action fake, if they bite hard on the run fake the double post will be wide open behind them. Watch for a user-controlled safety sitting in the middle of the field as a lurk defender, that safety can rob the inside post and force you to work the corner route or drag instead. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is vulnerable here since both posts create natural separation against trailing defenders, especially against off-man corners. A tight single-high safety shell, particularly Cover 3 or Cover 1 with an aggressive robber, can shut this play down by sitting on the post routes and taking away the primary read, forcing a quick check to the underneath drag.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in shot situations where you have positive game script since the deep drops take time to develop.
Look at the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two safeties deep with a MOFO shell this play is designed to put one of them in conflict with the double post.
Use your play action fake fully by holding the fake before resetting your feet, this freezes linebackers and slows down the safety rotation just enough to open the post window.
If the defense shows Cover 2 with hard corners, hot route the underneath drag into a spot or hitch to give yourself an outlet if the safety erases the post.
Pair this with Double Cross or Four Verticals in the same set to keep defenders honest on deep shots, then mix in PA Slide or Double Stick on early downs to disguise your play action tendencies and prevent defenders from jumping the double post route combo.
