Playbooks
Breakdown
Quick Short Post is a trips-based quick game concept out of Shotgun Y Trips Wk with 11 personnel. From the trips side, the outermost receiver runs a short post while the middle slot receiver breaks inward on a shallow hitch/drag underneath, and the inner most receiver releases vertically up the numbers as a clear out. On the backside, the single receiver runs a quick out breaking away from the formation, giving the quarterback an immediate throw option to either side. This is a rhythm based man and zone beater built for a fast, one read release against soft coverage or blitz looks.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth: two high shells with soft corners tell you the short post window will be there right after the catch. Watch the flat defender on the trips side; if he sinks with the drag route, the post sits in an open zone pocket for an easy pitch and catch. Man coverage with no safety help over the top gets beat quickly if the post runner stacks his defender off the line. Key the backside cornerback leverage; if he plays inside leverage, the quick out to the single receiver is nearly automatic against man coverage. Watch for a user controlled linebacker or safety sitting in the shallow middle zone, since that lurk defender can undercut the post route if the quarterback stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Use this against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells where the flat defender sits low, since the short post sits right in the honey hole behind the corner and in front of the safety.
Read the backside cornerback pre-snap: if he is playing off man, the backside quick out is a fast, easy completion before the pass rush arrives.
This play works best on second and short or third and short since the routes are designed to hit quickly and gain yards after the catch rather than push the ball deep.
If you see a blitz look pre-snap with linebackers creeping toward the line, hot route the trips post to a slant to beat the vacated middle of the field.
Pair this play with Curls X Go or Fl Dig later in a drive so defenders start jumping the short post, opening up the deeper comeback and dig combos in this set.
