In the first write up for the Deep Post against man coverage, I simply showcased the fade/hitch route and how it can beat press coverage from a base defense. In this write up I want to look at some adjustments. Most smart defensive players do not take long to make the move to another front. In this write up I want to look at the same fade/hitch route as well as create some more options for us opposite that route.
The first thing I do when I get to the line is look at the defensive personnel and the Safeties. Here the personnel is 4-2-5 Nickel and the coverage shell is cover 1. This places one of the safeties in man coverage. Now if I were to run the bunch deep post by default, I could complete the fade/hitch, but the Safety would be right there to stop it and I would only gain around three yards. So what I like to do is motion the flanker to the left so that the Safety is forced to man up the WR a top the bunch.
Once that happens the CB will follow the flanker and the Safety and the MLB will switch man coverage assignments. Notice here how the safety actually moves back once I motion the flanker left. This should tip you off that a switch has occurred between the Safety and MLB.
Now I have the match up that I want. I have an MLB out of place to the defense the fade/hitch and a SS covering a wide receiver. I can do several things here. I can place the WR here on a drag and quick hike it before my opponent brings the SS back down and hit that route over the middle, or just send the WR on a curl so that he can become a blocker.
Or I can leave it as it is. Either way, I have isolated the linebacker out of place to defend the route. Spacing and creating space will be a key component on offense this year. Stretch the defense and find the weak link. This is why I like this play and its complement. They both allow you to find the weak link and exploit it.
I hit the TE on the quick pass and watch the linebacker struggle to get there to defend the pass.
Once the TE catches the football it is a matter of stick skill. You can exploit many players defense because they haven’t learned to tackle just yet (I’m guilty here for now). The suction tackle will not take effect and this gives this play a great deal of leverage.
You can get around several players and rack up yardage because of the new tackling system and players still getting accustomed to it.
Now, in the first write up for this play, I mentioned that the drag route for the outside receiver would be important. I want to highlight that here. What I like to do once I send the flanker in motion left is give the split end a drag route to the inside.
On the snap both receivers will only get collision slightly.
Once they are off the jam I have two options on the left. I have the SE running the drag under and the lanker running the drag outside.
In this diagram I hit the SE running the drag underneath. Against cover 1, one will definitely want to pay attention to the OLB lurking in the hook zone.
The good thing about the route is that the press coverage actually pushes the route up the field. So rather than a mere three yard gain, we can get some decent real estate on this play.
The Flanker also gets open against press coverage. Once he pivots and cuts outside he will get separation from the CB.
Once I see that I fire the pass to the flanker before the CB can recover and defend the pass.
After that it is about yards after the catch and testing to see if your opponent has mastered the new tackling system.
If not, then you either make him whiff or you break the tackle and you are up the sideline for more yards.
Video Breakdown
[pro-player width=’624′ height=’386′ type=’video’ image=’http://www.xsosfootball.com/videos/quick-press-adjustments.jpg’]http://www.xsosfootball.com/videos/quick-press-adjustments.flv[/pro-player]
Final Thoughts
This first version of the Ace: Base Bunch, Deep Post is a very flexible play and with a few adjustments it opens things up against press coverage. I ran these adjustments against cover 1. If we get cover 0, a missed tackle could be six points.
