Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Post Cross runs off play action from Singleback Deuce Close with 12 personnel, and the diagram shows a true post cross combo: the outer receiver runs a deep post that stretches the safety while the inner slot man bends a deep crosser underneath it from the opposite side, creating a natural pick/rub against man coverage. The third route in yellow works a corner out flag route breaking outside, and the flat route from the running back stays low as the checkdown/outlet after the play fake. This is a man beater built on the post and crosser occupying the same window at different depths, with the primary read progression going post first for the explosive shot, then crosser as it clears underneath linebackers, then flat route to the back as the last resort against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high safety alignment since that leaves the corner on the post route in a vulnerable trail position with no deep help. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the play action fake the crosser will sit wide open in the vacated middle zone. Key the flat defender or nickel corner, if he sinks with the crosser instead of staying with any flat threat that confirms zone coverage and the crosser becomes the primary answer. User the deep safety over the top of the post to take away the biggest explosive play and force the quarterback to work the crosser underneath. Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties shut down the post since it removes the one on one matchup the route is designed to exploit.
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety shells pre-snap since the post route only wins big when there is no help over the top from a two deep look.
Motion or shift the flanker before the snap to force the defense to declare man or zone and confirm your post read early.
Hot route the flat back into a quick option or check him down immediately if you see a blitz off the edge since the play action fake holds linebackers just long enough to buy time.
Pair this call with PA Deep Cross or PA X Post Cross earlier in a drive so the defense starts biting on run fakes, then hit the post cross when they overplay play action tendencies.
Use in second and long or third and medium situations where defenses are more likely to sit in single high man coverage looking to stop the run first.
