Playbooks

X Post

Singleback·Ace·12
PostPass Play
Play diagram for X Post from Singleback Ace in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback
SetAce

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Breakdown

X Post is the deep shot concept out of Singleback Ace 12 personnel, sending the X receiver on a vertical stem into a post that splits the safeties. The two TEs run a mirrored dig and corner combo from the middle of the field, with one TE crossing underneath into a dig route while the other works a deep out breaking toward the sideline, and the HB releases into a flat route to the opposite side as a checkdown and outlet. The primary read starts with the X post as the shot play, working through the TE dig on an intermediate window if the safety rotates to take away the post, and finishing with the HB flat as the last resort against pressure or tight man coverage.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap identify if the free safety is aligned deep middle in a single high shell, since that tips Cover 1 or Cover 3 and opens the post throwing lane Watch the corner over the X receiver, if he is playing off with outside leverage he is inviting the post throw right into the safety help Post snap key the flow of the underneath linebackers, if they sink hard to the dig route the post window against the safety becomes even bigger This play struggles against two high safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4 since the safety can sit on top of the post without help responsibility elsewhere Beware user controlled safeties lurking in the deep middle third, a good defender can bait the post throw and jump the route for a pick

Usage Tips

Take your shot on the X post against single high shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1 where the free safety has to choose between the post and the crossing dig

Use play action or no huddle tempo to freeze the linebackers before they can sink into the underneath dig window

Hot route the HB flat to a block if you are facing a heavy blitz look and need extra protection on third and long

Pair this call with PA Post Dig or PA Post Cross Shot earlier in a series so the defense starts respecting the post shot and opens up the underneath crosser

Save this play for second and long or third and long situations where a big chunk gain or explosive play is worth the risk of a deep incompletion

Other Plays in Ace