Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Inside Post out of Strong I Close with 21 personnel sends the backside X on a deep post breaking across the middle of the field while the flanker to the closed side runs a corner route to stretch the defense vertically. The TE releases into a shallow crossing route underneath, and the FB works the flat as a checkdown option while the HB stays in on protection with the offensive line in a standard pass set. This is primarily a man beater designed to attack single high looks, with the deep post as the clear first read against man coverage, working down to the crosser underneath and the flat route to the FB if the post is capped.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety alignment pre-snap since that confirms the post has a favorable angle to split the coverage. If the defense shows two deep safeties before the snap, expect the post to be squeezed and prioritize jumping the underneath crosser or flat route to the FB instead. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, since shallow drops from the middle linebacker signal zone coverage that can undercut the TE's crossing route. Key the cornerback technique on the post side, a corner playing outside leverage in man coverage is a green light to trust the post against him. Beware disguised Cover 3 buzz or robber looks where the safety rotates down late, since that user controlled defender can sit in the passing lane and jump the post or the crosser.
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety alignment pre-snap since the deep post is designed to split the safety and attack the seam behind man coverage corners.
Use the corner route to the closed side as a clock-out or hot read if the defense shows two deep shells, since the post loses value against a true Cover 2 or Cover 4 look.
Motion or check the FB release if you see linebackers sitting flat footed at the snap, since the flat route can be an easy conversion against blitz-heavy fronts.
Pair this play with PA Post Dig or PA Deep Cross earlier in a drive so defenders start respecting the play-action shell, which opens the straight drop back post even more.
Best called on second or third and medium when you need an explosive gain, and the deep crosser underneath gives you a built in answer if the safety jumps the post route.
