Playbooks
PA Double Post
Quick Reference
In 12 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Double Post is a play-action shot play out of Y Off Trips Nasty in Shotgun with 11 personnel, using a nasty split trips look to disguise the pass fake off the run action. Both the outside trips receiver and the inline TE break vertically into posts stacked at different depths, working in tandem to overload one half of the field while the two remaining routes (a corner and an out and up) stretch the boundary and clear the underneath zone. The primary read progression starts with the deep post from the TE (the underneath post) into the outside receiver post, then works back to the corner route if both posts are capped, making this a clear Cover 2 and Cover 4 beater that also punishes single high man coverage if the safety bites on the play fake.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is playing two deep safeties or one, since Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells are exactly what this double post concept is designed to exploit. Key the safeties' first step after the snap, since if they bite down on the play-action fake, both posts will have clean vertical windows behind the linebackers. Watch for a robber or lurking linebacker sitting in the middle of the field in man coverage looks, since that defender can undercut the inside post and turn this into a costly interception if you force the throw. Post-snap, track the corner route runner if the posts are capped, since a delayed blitz or heavy zone drop underneath can still leave that corner route open as the outlet against Cover 2. Beware disguised Cover 3 or Cover 1 with press corners, since a single deep defender can rob one post while the corner sits on the other route, taking away the easy answer.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake with a hard commitment on the play-action animation, since Cover 2 and Cover 4 defenders keying the backfield will bite on the run action and open the post windows late.
Use this on early downs or after establishing Inside Zone from the same set so the play-action freezes linebackers and safeties, since the run tag is already in the defense's memory bank.
Check pre-snap for two deep safeties, since this play is built to attack the seam between them on Cover 2 or split the middle of the field on Cover 4 with the double post concept.
If the defense shows single high safety pre-snap, be ready to hot route the shallow post into a shorter breaking route or check to Mtn Y Corner or Dagger Whip instead, since man coverage with a robber can jump the inside post.
Pair this play in a sequence with Flood HB Swing or RPO Read Y Flat to keep linebackers honest on quick game before hitting them with this deep shot on a predictable run down.
