How to Run a Post Pattern Like Randy Moss

Randy Moss may be the greatest deep threat receiver in the history of football. He combines speed, catching ability and size into what scientists might come up with if they created the perfect wide receiver. One of the signature plays for Randy Moss is the post pattern.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Get off the line of scrimmage quickly. Randy Moss uses his size and speed to defeat press coverage at the line and initiate the post pattern. This is probably the most important part of the post pattern because it is a deep route that requires the quarterback to hold the ball the longest of any route. If the player does not get off the line quickly the opposing team will most assuredly sack the quarterback before he can ever throw the post pattern.
2. Keep your shoulder square and do not tip off the route. If a receiver makes the move too early it can tip the defensive player as to which way the route is going. Randy Moss is excellent at keeping his shoulder square and not letting the defensive player know which route or direction he is running on a specific play.
3. Lull the defender into complacency before taking off downfield on the route. Randy Moss will run the route smoothly until it is time to take off on the post route. When running a post route, the receiver runs straight up the field. Then he makes an angled move towards the goal posts for the pass. It is at this break that you should speed ahead, leaving the defender in your wake.
4. Run through the pass on the post pattern. Sometimes receivers have a tendency to slow as the pass nears them. The only time a receiver should slow is on a pass that is short of its target. Keeping the momentum is a key component to completing the post pattern successfully. You will rarely see Randy Moss slow up before a pass. He runs to and through on the post pass pattern.