How to Run a Post Pattern in Football

Putting together a strong offensive football team means building a dependable receiving crew. Your receivers don't have to go deep on every play in order to be effective, but stretching the defense with a deep pass is a good idea for even the most conservative offensive teams early in the game. By stretching the offense with a couple of long plays early, the running game and the short passing game will work much better. Stretching the defense with the post pattern is an excellent choice because it is an easy pattern to run and a reasonable pass for a decent quarterback to throw.

Instructions

1. Take an aggressive stance, leaning forward with your head angled toward the ball. Take six steps at full speed to get off the line of scrimmage, and then use your head to throw the defensive back off of his coverage responsibilities. Fake as if you are going to run to the sidelines by bobbing your head or taking a quick jab-step to the outside. After that move, turn your body to the center of the field and run across the middle. Turn your head and look at the quarterback.

2. Run hard to the goal post. That's how the pattern got its name. Realize that your quarterback can throw the ball to you at any point once you have made your break. It can come early, especially if you have beaten the defender with your move. If you have not decisively beaten the corner, you must continue to run hard because you are about to come into the range of the safety.

3. Look for the safety as you continue to sprint toward the post. Unless he has taken a perfect angle you should be able to beat him up the field. Your quarterback will wait until you are even with the safety and then deliver the ball, figuring that you will be able to beat him from that point.

4. Run your pattern with precision and do so at full speed in order to catch the well-thrown ball. The pass will be in front of you by a significant margin and your first impression may be that it is quite a bit over your head. However, running full-out will enable you to catch up to the ball, and if it is a perfect pass you can continue to run at full speed once you have brought the ball in. If it is not a perfect pass, you will have to slow down or adjust your angle to catch the ball.

5. Practice running the post pattern from either side of the field. You may be more comfortable starting out on the left side and cutting to the right or vice-versa, but you must be able to run that play from either side. The post pattern is a relatively easy pattern to run because there are no complicated moves, but it must be run with speed and precision. This play has to be practiced every day because it should be a staple of most offenses.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch as much videotape of receivers like Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Marvin Harrison running the post pattern. All three are great receivers blessed with athletic talent, but they are all precise pattern runners. Notice the economy of movement and focus when running the pass pattern.

• Watch as much videotape of opposing defensive backs. If they are overly aggressive, the post pattern is the perfect move to go to in order to get free.