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Breakdown
PA Double Post runs off a play-action fake from Shotgun Wing Tight, freezing the second and third level defenders before the quarterback works a stacked vertical concept. Both inside receivers push post routes at different depths on the same side, creating a natural pick/rub combo that clears out the deep middle, while the backside receiver runs a deep dig back across the field and the outside receiver on the post side climbs a corner/vertical route up the sideline. The primary read progression starts with the shallow post underneath, moves to the deeper post if the safety bites on the shallow route, and works back to the dig as the checkdown against zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify two deep safeties splitting the field evenly, which signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 and tells you the double post is live since one safety cannot cover both post routes. Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sits shallow to defend the play action fake he will be late getting to the deep post crossing zone. Post-snap, key the safety over the post side, if he flows hard to jump the shallow post the quarterback should hit the deeper post behind him for an explosive gain. User the deep safety in Cover 4 to rob the inside post route, since a smart user can sit in the passing lane and bait a costly interception. This play struggles against a single high safety with aggressive underneath zone drops, since the crossing dig can be undercut by a linebacker who reads play action quickly and sinks into his zone drop.
Usage Tips
Look for two high safeties pre-snap since the double post concept is built to attack Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells where the safeties have to choose which post to help on.
Use play action on early downs or in run-heavy personnel situations so linebackers step up and bite on the fake, opening the middle of the field for the post combo.
If the corner is playing outside leverage on the post side, hot route the outside post to a corner route to take advantage of the vacated middle.
Sequence this play after establishing Inside Zone or HB Punch from the same Wing Tight set so defenders respect the run fake and commit to the line of scrimmage.
Against man coverage look immediately to the deep post that clears first, since the two post routes crossing create natural rub leverage against tight man defenders.
