A post route in football is an intermediate to deep receiving pattern that has the receiver run in a straight line down the field before sharply turning fourty five degrees towards the uprights.
A post route earned its name because it directs players towards the goalposts in the middle of the field. A corner route is similar to the post but this route breaks towards to the corner of the endzone instead.
On a post route, the receiver starts by running down the field in a straight line. After ten to fifteen yards the receiver will make a fourty five degree cut towards the middle of the field.
A post is an intermediate to deep route which means the receiver will catch this pass fairly deep down the field.
Some plays may have the receiver cut less than 45 degrees towards the middle of the field, this is called a skinny post route.
This means the quarterback will need at least a second or two of protection in order to get this pass off.
In most cases, the quarterback is going to try and make this throw right after the receiver has made his cut. If hit in stride this route can result in some huge yards after the catch.
When catching a ball this deep down the field there are not many defenders left to beat in order to get a touchdown.
What To Know About Post Routes
Now that you understand what a post route is in football, it’s time to learn about the key factors that go into this receiving pattern.
Below we will break down some key points you need to know about post routes in football.
Feign You Are Running A Go Route
One of the key aspects to running an effective post route is having the defender believe you are going deep. On a post route, you want to beat the defender to the inside causing him to have to turn his hips around.
If the defense is in man coverage the cornerback will be running with the receiver as he goes down the field. The receiver needs to be sure his body language is not giving away his route.
The receiver should keep their shoulders and hips facing straight down the field so that the defender believes they are running a go route.
Once the receiver gets to the desired depth of their route they will cut inside. At this point, the cornerback should have his hipped turned the wrong way as he believes you are running a go route.
This will force the cornerback to spin all the way around giving the receiver a chance to create some separation.
Be Ready For Contested Catches
In an ideal world, post routes are thrown to players on man coverage with no other defenders nearby. Unfortunately, most defensive formations are going to have safeties waiting deep in the defensive backfield.
This often means the receiver will have to make a contested catch between the safety and the cornerback. It is not uncommon for players to catch this pass and then be hit immediately by an incoming safety.
To run this route effectively a receiver needs to be comfortable with contested catches and taking hits after the catch.
Corner Post Option Route
The vast majority of post routes are not option routes but on some occasions, the receiver will have the ability to pick between these two routes.
On an option route, a receiver will read the defender covering them and then choose which route to run. The quarterback will already know which routes the receiver may choose to run.
When it comes to a post route the option is going to be between a corner route or a post route. On some occasions, these routes will be combined and referred to as a post corner route.
On this sort of route, you want to watch the cornerback covering the receiver to determine which cut will get you more separation.
Once the receiver determines which route will be more effective he will make his cut at the predetermined spot on the field.
This style of route can be incredibly hard to cover as the receiver has the ability to make adjustments during the play.
That is all on post routes in football, learn other receiving routes such as the short in route or the often used curling route.
