Playbooks
Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Slot Post attacks the middle of the field with a five man route concept out of Singleback Wing Slot 12 personnel. The backside X runs a corner route up the sideline while the slot receiver breaks in on the post from the numbers, splitting the safeties and creating a natural high low read against two deep coverage. On the strong side, the TE runs a quick out and up to stack the flat defender while the wing TE releases into a flat route underneath, and the HB checks down on a swing route out of the backfield for a built in outlet. Primary progression starts with the post as the number one read, then works to the corner route on the back side if the safety jumps the post, before checking down to the flat or swing route against pressure or trips coverage.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety pre-snap. If the safety cheats toward the post landmark, immediately switch your primary user defender to the corner route to bait the quarterback into a big mistake. Watch linebacker depth at the snap. Shallow linebackers who sink into the post window can undercut the route, so spy or drop your Mike into that throwing lane against known Slot Post callers. Cover 3 with a rolled up corner on the post side is the toughest shell to beat this play against because it removes the seam and forces a checkdown. Cover 2 Man leaves the post vulnerable since the safety has to work over the top from depth, so user the deep safety and trail the post route manually for a pick opportunity. Watch for the swing route out of the backfield on third and long, since that is the built in checkdown quarterbacks lean on when the post window closes.
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety shells before the snap since the post route will split the defense the moment the free safety bites on the corner route or play action fake.
Use hot routes to convert the swing route into a flat route if you need a faster underneath option against a hard blitz look.
Pair this play with PA Y Cross Flood or PA Dagger in the same set to keep defenders guessing between the standard drop back post shot and heavier play action shots off similar backfield action.
Best called on second and medium to second and long when defenses sit back in zone since the post exploits the seam between the hook and deep defenders.
Against man coverage, key the post route defender's hips at the snap. If he opens outside, throw the post immediately before he can recover to the inside.
