Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Bounce PA Post Curls runs out of Shotgun Y Off Trips Wk with play-action fake to sell the run first. The single receiver backside runs a deep post to stress the middle of the field while the two outside trips receivers settle into curls at the sticks, giving the quarterback a vertical shot paired with underneath sit routes. This is a play-action pass built as a man beater on the post (it can split a safety and cornerback in man leverage) while the curls also give a natural zone beater answer against off coverage or cover 3 zone drops. Primary read progression starts with the post shot down the field, then works to the curl route on the play side, with the checkdown or opposite curl as the final answer if the post is capped.
Defensive Reads
Identify the safety shell before the snap since single high alignment tells you the post has a one on one matchup down the seam. Watch the flat defenders and corners at the snap: if they sink deep with the post threat, the curls will sit open in the vacated underneath zone. Key the middle linebacker after the play-action fake, since a linebacker who bites hard on the run fake leaves a throwing lane for the post over the middle. This play struggles against cover 2 or cover 4 shells with a deep half safety sitting on the post, so expect the quarterback to check down to the curls in that look. Man coverage with press corners and no deep safety help is the worst case scenario for the defense, since the post can win immediately off the play-action.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, since the post route is your explosive shot play against man coverage. Look for single high safety shells (cover 1 or cover 3) as the green light to trust the post over the top, and check for two-high shells (cover 2 or cover 4) as your cue to work the curls underneath instead. Hot route the backside curl into a deeper comeback or hitch if you are facing aggressive flat corners jumping short routes. Best called on second or third and medium when the defense expects run action off the trips formation, since the play-action fake holds linebackers and opens the post window. Pair this with Bounce Slot Cross or Dig Cross earlier in a drive to condition the defense on the run fake, then hit this play once safeties start creeping up to defend the run.
