Playbooks

Z Post Y Out

Singleback·Ace·12

Out Post Pass Play Block and Release In

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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

SetAce

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 1 playbook

Fix OffenseOffense

Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players

Player	Side	Route
HB1	Middle	Block and Release Hook
TE2	Left	Short Out
WR1	Left	In
WR2	Right	Deep Post
TE1	Right	Deep Out

Read progression

WR2 right, Deep Post
TE1 right, Deep Out
WR1 left, In
HB1, Block and Release Hook or TE2 left, Short Out

Breakdown

Z Post Y Out is a two man route concept out of Singleback Ace 12 personnel that isolates the Z receiver on a deep post while the Y tight end runs a quick out to the flat. This is a man beater at its core, designed to attack single high safety looks and press man coverage by stretching the field vertically with the post while giving a built in short answer against off coverage. The primary read progression starts with the Z post for the explosive shot, then works down to the Y out as the checkdown against tight man coverage or when the deep shot is capped by a safety rotating over the top.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap, identify single high safety shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since the post route has a clean lane to work behind the linebackers and in front of a deep third or deep half defender who has to respect width. Watch cornerback depth at the line, soft or off coverage on the Z receiver signals an easy out route completion underneath, while press alignment tells you the post is live if you can protect long enough. Post snap, track the user controlled defender for a lurking safety or linebacker sitting in the passing lane between the hash marks, since a good lurk can bait a pick six on the post throw if thrown late. Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties are the toughest matchup for this concept, since the post runs directly into a safety who does not have to respect the run and can undercut or contest the catch point. Watch for blitz packages that bring extra pressure off the edge, since the Y out route becomes the answer against man blitz looks when the quarterback needs a quick, high percentage throw before the post route has time to develop.

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see one high safety shaded to the post side, either throw the post with anticipation before the safety can rotate over or bail out to the Y out immediately.

Use motion or a hot route on the backside receiver to clear out underneath zones and give your quarterback a cleaner two way go between the post and the out.

This play hits hardest on first and second down when defenses are more willing to sit in base zone shells, since Cover 3 and Cover 4 defenders can be baited into biting on the out route.

Pair this with Skinny Posts or Double Sluggo in your play calling sequence to condition the defense into expecting quick game, then hit them with the deep post shot when they jump the short routes.

Against man coverage, throw the post on a rope with a high point placement if your Z receiver has a size or speed advantage, and use the Y out as a rhythm throw versus blitz looks where you need a quick release.