Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Skinny Posts is a two man route concept out of Singleback Ace 12 personnel, with both outside receivers running skinny posts that break sharply toward the middle of the field at roughly ten to twelve yards. The remaining receiver runs a shallow drag underneath while the running back releases vertically up the middle as a checkdown or seam threat, and the offensive line holds a five man protection to give the quarterback a clean pocket. This is primarily a man beater since both posts cross the field at a hard angle that creates natural separation against trailing corners, though it also stresses single high safeties and Tampa 2 shells if the safety cannot get over the top. The primary read progression starts with the post to the side the play rolls toward or the wider of the two posts, then works to the opposite post, and checks down to the running back on the vertical route if both posts are covered.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety in the middle of the field is the green light to trust the post breaks since the safety cannot cover both windows. Watch for corners playing outside leverage in man coverage, since that alignment allows the posts to break inside cleanly against their hip. If linebackers show depth at the second level in a zone drop, the post routes have to split the seams, so key on the middle linebacker's drop to see if he sinks under the crossing point. User controlled safeties who bait the throw and sit in the post window will jump the route, so watch for a defender lurking near the numbers instead of retreating deep. Cover 2 or Tampa 2 shells with a deep half safety over the top can shut this play down if the underneath linebackers wall off the drag and the safety closes on the post in time.
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3 pre-snap since the skinny posts attack the seams where the safety has to choose which route to help on.
Use motion or a hot route on the drag route to create a natural pick or rub against man coverage if the defense shows man alignment with corners lined up tight on the outside receivers.
This play works best on second or third and medium since it takes a beat to develop and needs the pocket to hold up against four man rushes.
Pair Skinny Posts with a quick game play like Quick Slants or Curl Flats earlier in a series so the defense starts sitting on short routes, then hit the posts over the top once corners bite on underneath breaks.
If the defense shows two high safeties pre-snap, consider audibling to PA Post Dig or Z Post Y Out instead since Skinny Posts loses some of its explosiveness against split safety shells that can rob the post window.
