Playbooks
PA Double Post
Breakdown
PA Double Post runs out of Shotgun Y Off Trips with 11 personnel and shows a play-action fake to hold the linebackers before the quarterback sets up in the pocket. From the trips side, the two inside receivers push vertically upfield and break in on double post routes stacked toward the middle of the field, while the third trips receiver runs a shallow drag underneath to the opposite flat. The backside receiver runs a deep vertical clearing route up the sideline to occupy the boundary corner and safety. This is a play-action shot play designed to attack Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells by stacking two posts into the same soft spot between the safeties, with the primary read progressing from the outside post to the inside post based on which defender opens up the throwing lane.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap identify whether the defense is in a two high safety shell or has rotated to single high, since two high shells are exactly what this play is designed to beat. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the play-action fake the double post window opens up much faster over the middle. Post-snap key the safeties on the trips side, if one safety commits to the outside post the throwing lane to the inside post stays open, if he sits in the middle it takes both posts away. User a rangy safety or a lurking linebacker to sit in the passing lane between the two posts, this is the single most effective way to bait the quarterback into a turnover. Cover 3 with a hard charging blitz off the edge can disrupt the timing before the posts fully develop, so bringing pressure while keeping the deep middle safety honest shuts this play down.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, this play is built to exploit two deep safeties that have to choose which post to take away. Against Cover 2 look for the safety to bite on the outside post and throw the inside post into the void behind the linebackers. Against Cover 4 or quarters shells hold the ball a beat longer since the safeties will sink with the posts, and be ready to check down to the drag route underneath if both posts are covered. Use this play on early downs or second and short so the play-action fake actually threatens the defense and freezes second level defenders. Pair PA Double Post with Slants or Curls earlier in a drive to condition the defense to sit on shorter routes, then hit this shot play once you see linebackers creeping up on run fakes. Hot route the backside vertical into a comeback if you are facing aggressive press corners who like to jump underneath routes.
