Playbooks
Breakdown
Double Post out of Strong I Close (21 personnel) shows a five man protection look with both the FB and HB staying in to block while the offensive line sets up max protect. The two outside receivers run vertical post routes that cross deep down the field, with the TE running a shallow crossing route underneath from right to left to hold the linebackers and clear space for the posts. This is a man beater and Cover 2 or Cover 4 beater, with the primary read progression going to the near post first, then working to the far post as it breaks across the safety's zone, and using the TE crosser as a checkdown against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, check safety depth and width, since two safeties sitting deep and wide signals Cover 2 or Cover 4, both of which this play is designed to attack. Watch cornerback alignment: if corners are in press man with no safety help over the top, this concept can get beat by a well timed jam, so consider user controlling a corner to disrupt the post release. Post snap, key the middle linebacker or lurking defender, since a good user controlled lurk in the intermediate middle zone can undercut both post routes as they cross. Look for safety rotation after the snap, since a single high safety rotating late can jump the far post route and turn it into a turnover. If the defense shows heavy blitz pre snap, expect the FB and HB to stay in as extra protectors, so spy for a delayed blitzer who times up with the TE's crossing route.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and long when you need to attack a two high safety shell with max protect and time on the clock. Pre snap, identify if the safeties are showing Cover 2 or Cover 4, since both posts are designed to split the safeties and create a throwing window in the middle of the field. If the corners are playing hard outside leverage, hot route the TE crosser into a deeper option or keep him in as an extra blocker against a nano blitz look. Pair this play with Mesh Post or Inside Post in the same set to keep the defense guessing between single post and double post concepts off similar formation and personnel. Since both HB and FB stay in to block, only call this when you have enough time in the pocket, and avoid it against heavy pressure packages unless you slide protection toward the blitz side.
