Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Close PA Post uses a play-action fake out of Singleback Wing 12 personnel to hold the linebackers before attacking the deep middle of the field. The backside TE runs a deep post from the wing alignment while the frontside TE breaks outside on a corner-style route, and the inside receiver runs a shallow crossing route underneath to occupy zone defenders. The primary read progression starts with the post route as the shot play, working to the outside breaking route on the opposite hash if the safety jumps the post, then checking down to the crosser underneath as a last resort against heavy zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high look, since this determines whether the post has room to work between the numbers. Watch the strong side safety depth at the snap: if he bites hard on the run fake, the post route window opens up immediately for an explosive gain. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's drop, because if he sits shallow to cover the crosser he leaves the deep middle exposed to the post. This concept struggles against Cover 4 or Cover 2 Man with a deep half safety sitting over the top, since that defender can undercut or trail the post route the entire way. Watch for a user-controlled safety lurking in the middle of the field, since a smart user will sit on the post and bait the quarterback into an interception if the fake does not sell.
Usage Tips
Run this out of play-action on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short so the fake actually holds the linebackers and freezes the second level.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap: if you see two high safeties sitting deep, the post route has to split them, so time your throw before the fake safety rotates over the top.
Against single high or Cover 3 shells, the post has a clear window between the corner and the middle safety, so this is your top man beater call against man coverage teams that bring an extra hat into the box.
Pair this with Close PA Sail or Close PA Cross from the same set so the defense cannot key on the post route based on formation tendency alone.
If you see zone blitz pressure or a nickel defender showing blitz pre-snap, hot route the crosser into a quick sit route to give yourself a faster outlet against the extra rusher.
