When it comes to strategic plays in football, post routes are a key element in a team’s offensive arsenal. These routes are designed to deceive defenders and create opportunities for explosive downfield passes.
By understanding the intricacies of executing post routes effectively, players can outmaneuver their opponents and make game-changing plays on the field.
Mastering the art of running post routes requires precision, speed, and timing. It’s not just about running in a straight line; it’s about creating separation from defenders and making sharp, calculated cuts to get open for a pass.
Whether it’s a deep post or a quick slant, the versatility of post routes makes them a valuable weapon in any team’s playbook.
In this article, we’ll delve into the nuances of football post routes, exploring the techniques and strategies that players use to execute them successfully. Stay tuned to elevate your understanding of this essential aspect of the game.
What Are Football Post Routes?
Post routes in football are designed to outsmart defenders and create open passing lanes downfield by having the receiver cut sharply towards the goalposts after running a set distance from the line of scrimmage.
They are versatile, with the potential for both long-developing plays and quick routes, requiring precise timing between the quarterback and receiver.
Mastering post routes necessitates speed, agility, and expert route-running skills to exploit defensive openings effectively and create big-play opportunities for the offense.
Incorporating post routes strategically into a game plan is crucial for moving the ball effectively and scoring points by challenging the opposing defense.
Football Post Routes
Football post routes, also known as “posts,” are strategic offensive maneuvers utilized to deceive defenders and create opportunities for downfield passing in American football.
These routes involve receivers making sharp cuts towards the goalposts after running a set distance from the line of scrimmage. By doing so, they aim to create separation from defenders, opening up passing lanes for the quarterback to exploit.
Post Route
In football, a post route is a play where the receiver runs straight before cutting sharply towards the goalpost to deceive the defender and create scoring opportunities.
The success of the play depends on the receiver’s deception and the quarterback’s timing and accuracy in delivering the pass effectively.
Timing and precision play a vital role in completing a pass successfully on a post route, exploiting gaps in the defense to catch the defender off guard.
Post Corner Route
A post corner route is a combination of a post route and a corner route in which the receiver first heads towards the goalpost before feinting a cut towards the corner of the end zone.
Effective timing and coordination between the quarterback and receiver are vital for success, enabling the offense to take advantage of defensive vulnerabilities near the end zone to score touchdowns.
To execute a successful post corner route, precise execution and synchronization are necessary to outsmart defenders and seize scoring chances in the crucial area close to the end zone.
Breaking Down The Route Tree
Football route trees, including post routes, are essential for crafting offensive plays involving various route types. Proficiency in executing post routes can greatly enhance a team’s passing strategy, creating chances for significant gains and pressuring the defense.
By mastering these concepts, teams can strategically outplay their opponents and optimize their offensive capabilities through well-coordinated timing between the quarterback and receiver.
Successfully executed post routes can exploit defensive coverage gaps, leading to dynamic plays deep down the field, making a deep understanding of these routes crucial for teams aiming to enhance their passing game.
6 Great Route Combinations Built From The Route Tree
The versatility of football post routes allows for the creation of various strategic route combinations that can confuse defenses and create scoring opportunities.
1. Dagger Concept
The Dagger concept combines a deep post route with a shallower crossing route, designed to attack the intermediate and deep areas of the field simultaneously. It’s effective in stretching the defense vertically and creating openings in the secondary for explosive plays.
The post route is a staple in many football playbooks, known for its ability to challenge defenses deep down the field.
When paired with a crossing route in the Dagger concept, it becomes even more potent at exploiting the vulnerabilities of opposing secondaries and generating big gains for the offense.
2. Sail Concept
In the Sail concept, the post route is paired with a corner route and a flat route, providing the quarterback with multiple options to attack different levels of the defense.
This combination can stress the coverage responsibilities of defensive backs and linebackers, opening up opportunities for big gains. The post route, as part of the Sail concept, gives the quarterback flexibility to target various areas of the defense with the corner and flat routes.
This strategic combination challenges defenders and creates chances for significant yardage gains.
3. Smash Concept
The Smash concept features a post route paired with a hitch or corner route, exploiting the soft spots in zone coverage. By forcing defenders to make quick decisions on which route to cover, the Smash concept aims to create mismatches and capitalize on defensive breakdowns.
This concept is especially effective against Cover 2 defenses where the post route can split the safeties, leaving the hitch or corner route open underneath or along the sideline. It’s a high-percentage play that can yield significant yardage if executed correctly.
4. Slants or Slant Flat
The Slants or Slant Flat combination involves quick, horizontal routes that can be used to counter aggressive pass rushes or exploit soft coverage in the middle of the field.
By attacking the defense with rapid, short throws, this concept aims to create yards after the catch and keep the chains moving.
When executed effectively, the Slants or Slant Flat combination can put pressure on the defense and open up opportunities for big gains through precise timing and receiver adjustments downfield. This dynamic strategy is a valuable tool in a team’s offensive playbook.
5. Cover 2 Beater
The Cover 2 Beater strategy involves pairing a post route with a complementary route underneath to exploit the deep and intermediate zones usually covered by two deep safeties.
This combination aims to create a mismatch between the deep defender and the underneath coverage, allowing for potential completions down the field.
This approach is particularly effective against a Cover 2 defense as it leverages the vulnerabilities between the two safeties, presenting opportunities for gaining yardage in the passing game by forcing the deep defender to make a decision.
6. Cover 3 Beater
The Cover 3 Beater is a strategic play designed to challenge Cover 3 defenses by using a deep post route to stretch the field vertically and incorporating underneath routes to engage the intermediate zones.
This approach aims to pressure defenders into challenging coverage situations, fostering chances for game-changing plays.
Leveraging the Cover 3 Beater effectively allows teams to exploit defensive weaknesses and take advantage of advantageous matchups further down the field.
NFL Route Tree
The NFL route tree is a fundamental tool used to categorize and organize various pass routes that receivers run during football games.
It’s crucial for players, coaches, and fans to understand the route tree as it forms the basis of designing effective offensive strategies in American football.
Quick Explanation of the NFL Route Tree
The NFL route tree consists of different routes numbered from 0 to 9, each representing a specific pattern for receivers to run down the field.
These routes are designed to confuse defenders, create mismatches, and ultimately help the offense move the ball effectively. Post routes, also known as “9 routes,” are an essential part of the NFL route tree.
They involve receivers sprinting straight down the field before making a sharp, angled break towards the sideline. This route is designed to deceive defenders and create opportunities for explosive plays in the passing game.
Key Routes in the NFL Route Tree
- Go Route (9): The receiver runs straight down the field, aiming to beat the defender with pure speed.
- Slant Route (3): The receiver takes a few steps forward and then cuts at a 45-degree angle towards the middle of the field.
- Post Route (8): The receiver runs straight down the field before angling towards the goalposts, creating a vertical threat in the passing game.
- Corner Route (7): The receiver initially moves as if running a vertical route before sharply turning towards the corner of the end zone.
Importance of Understanding the NFL Route Tree
Mastery of the NFL route tree allows offenses to diversify their passing attacks, keeping defenses off-balance and opening up opportunities for big plays.
Coaches utilize the route tree to create combination routes that exploit defensive weaknesses and maximize the chances of scoring touchdowns.
Understanding the nuances of football post routes is crucial for receivers to effectively navigate the intermediate zones of the field, creating separation from defenders and capitalizing on scoring opportunities in the end zone.
Strategic Applications of the NFL Route Tree
Combining routes from the NFL route tree enables offenses to execute complex passing plays that force defenders to make challenging coverage decisions.
Concepts like the “Dagger” and “Sail” capitalize on route combinations to stretch the field vertically and horizontally, creating confusion among defenders.
Utilizing post routes in conjunction with other routes from the NFL route tree adds depth to offensive playbooks, creating opportunities for explosive gains down the field and putting pressure on the defense to cover multiple passing options effectively.
Football Formations
In football, formations play a crucial role in shaping offensive and defensive strategies. Different formations can impact player positions, spacing, and the overall flow of the game, influencing the effectiveness of plays.
Coaches often tailor formations to their team’s strengths and opponent’s weaknesses to gain a tactical advantage on the field.
NFL Flag Route Tree
The NFL flag route tree includes post routes, which are important for moving the ball down the field effectively in flag football.
Teams can improve their offensive game by mastering post routes, taking advantage of defensive weaknesses, and scoring touchdowns by stretching the field vertically.
Post routes can also help create advantageous matchups for quick receivers against slower opponents, resulting in substantial gains and impactful plays that can alter the course of the game.
Understanding how to execute post routes well can give a team a notable advantage in flag football contests.
5 on 5 Flag Football Plays
In 5 on 5 flag football, teams employ small lineups for swift plays and accuracy, emphasizing speed, agility, and exploiting defensive weaknesses with quick passes.
The post route is a key play, involving the receiver cutting sharply towards the center, demanding precise coordination between quarterback and receiver to catch the defense off guard.
Mastering the post route can yield substantial advantages by outmaneuvering defenders and setting up scoring chances through coordinated strategies.
7 on 7 Flag Football Plays & Formations
With 7 on 7 flag football, teams have more room to work with on the field, allowing for a more strategic approach to plays and formations.
Coaches often use this format to practice and refine their passing game, emphasizing route running, timing, and communication among players.
Formations in 7 on 7 flag football can vary, with teams opting for spread formations to stretch the defense or compact formations to control the middle of the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important are football post routes for offensive strategies?
Mastering post routes is crucial for creating separation from defenders and opening passing lanes for quarterbacks. These routes challenge defenses and optimize offensive capabilities, enhancing the overall performance of a team.
What are some key routes in the NFL route tree besides the post route?
The NFL route tree includes the Go Route, Slant Route, Post Route, and Corner Route, all of which are essential for diversifying offensive strategies and keeping defenses on their toes.
How do football formations impact offensive plays?
Football formations play a significant role in shaping teams’ strategies by influencing the positioning of players on the field. They help create successful plays and provide a tactical advantage against opponents.
How does the NFL flag route tree add complexity to offensive tactics?
The NFL flag route tree introduces a variety of routes that can be used in flag football to confuse defenses and create scoring opportunities. These routes require strategic execution and decision-making to outsmart opponents effectively.
Conclusion
Football post routes are crucial for receivers to gain separation and for quarterbacks to find open passing lanes. Mastering these routes, along with others in the route tree, boosts offensive capabilities and challenges defenses for increased scoring chances.
Understanding the NFL route tree, which includes different routes like the Go Route, Slant Route, Post Route, and Corner Route, is vital for teams to enhance their offensive strategies.
Formations in football are equally important, shaping teams’ strategies and creating opportunities for successful plays. Additionally, in NFL flag football, the flag route tree adds complexity to offensive tactics, aiming to confuse defenses for strategic advantages.
In both 5 on 5 and 7 on 7 flag football, tactical execution and strategic formations are key to outwitting opponents and enhancing passing games.
By integrating various routes, formations, and strategic plays, teams can improve their performance and maintain a competitive edge in football games.
Ashley Hopkinson