Football Post Routes
What is a Post Route in Football?
In football, a post is a pass route in which the receiver runs downfield, then turns and runs towards the goal post in the endzone. The cut in the route is usually made between ten and twelve yards downfield. The post is considered a long route, but it is similar to the short slant route.
When do Offenses Use Post Routes?
Post routes are a key in the arsenal of a deep passing offense. The central idea is to use a post pass to expose a single high safety, especially those in cover 1 defense or cover 3. Putting two deep routes in the center of the field forces the high safety to either:
- Choose who to defend
- Assist with defending in the case of cover
This second option can lead to an open receiver or an uneven matching. Post routes can also prove effective in running off safeties and cornerbacks to open up the short run game.
Skinny Posts
There is also a variant of the post where the cut is made at a shallower angle, and this is referred to as a skinny post. Skinny posts are designed to expose the gaps between deep defenders. The idea is to run the route between the gaps of a sideline defender’s zone and the close safety’s zone. This creates confusion in whose responsibility it is to cover the skinny post, typically leading to the skinny post being uncovered or double covered.
Defending Post Routes
The most effective strategy for stopping post routes is the same for any long pass route: an effective pass rush game. Since posts are slow, deep routes, pressuring the quarterback will reduce effectiveness of the long game. Regardless of coverage, a good pass rush will stop a long pass play before the routes can even develop.
In the event of a post against man defense, the only real strategy is not allowing the receiver to get deeper than the defender. This means that the defender needs to be faster than the receiver and able to react to the cuts while still allowing little separation.