Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Quick Short Post is a trips-side quick game concept out of Shotgun Y Off Trio Wk with a single receiver route on the backside. The trio side runs a vertical release into the post from the outside receiver, a quick out breaking away underneath, and the inside slot working a shallow crossing route back toward the formation, while the backside X runs a sharp comeback breaking outside. This is a man beater built for a fast three step drop, and the primary read progression starts with the post as the shot play, then works down to the crossing route underneath if the post window is closed, with the backside comeback as the outlet against off coverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a single high safety cheating toward the trio side pre-snap, this is a sign of man coverage rotation that opens the post for the primary read. If the cornerback on the outside trio receiver is playing off with outside leverage, the post should win quickly since he has to close ground before the ball arrives. Look for underneath linebackers sitting flat footed at the snap, if they widen with the out route the crosser behind them becomes wide open. Zone shells with two deep safeties can squeeze the post throwing window, in that case check down to the underneath crosser or the backside comeback instead of forcing the shot route. User controlled defenders sitting in a lurk position near the intermediate middle of the field can jump the crossing route, so know if the user is playing that zone before committing to the checkdown read.
Usage Tips
Check the pre-snap safety alignment before the snap, if you see a single high safety shaded toward the trips side the post has a smaller window so be ready to work the crosser underneath.
Use this against man coverage looks since the post and the underneath crosser create natural rub and separation against man defenders trailing the trio bunch.
Hot route the backside comeback into a shorter hitch if you are getting quick pressure off the edge, this keeps the timing intact on early down and distance.
Pair this play with Slot Cross or Double Drags in the same set so the defense sees similar route stems out of the trio look and cannot key on the post concept.
Best called on first or second down in the middle of the field since the quick post timing does not need a lot of field width, save Deep In or Mills for third down when you need more depth.
