Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Deep Choice Y-Option is a play-action pass out of Pistol Full House Over Close that shows three receiving routes off a max protect look. The Y receiver runs an option route breaking outside toward the sideline and up the seam depending on the leverage of the underneath defender, while the backside receiver runs a deep vertical seam route and the third receiver sprints an out and up from the opposite side. With the extra backs staying in to protect, this is designed as a man beater that stresses a single defender on the option route and takes a shot deep against overaggressive man coverage. The primary read starts with the Y-option route, then progresses to the deep seam route if the underneath defender sits or the linebacker jumps the option.
Defensive Reads
Watch the cornerback over the Y receiver at the snap, if he presses hard and turns his hips for man coverage the option route should break away from him for an easy pitch and catch. Key the safety rotation before the snap, a single high safety indicates man coverage underneath which opens up the deep seam route on the backside. Post-snap, look for a linebacker sitting in a zone drop underneath the option route, if he sinks into that window the quarterback needs to move to the deep seam or outside vertical instead. This play struggles against two deep safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4 since both verticals get taken away and the option route has no room to work behind the underneath zone. Be alert for a user-controlled defender lurking in the middle of the field, since a smart user can bait the option read and jump the throwing lane for a pick if the quarterback locks on too early.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for single high safety looks since that tells you the deep seam route has a better chance to work against man coverage underneath.
Use the Y-option route as your first read and let the receiver's break dictate where you throw, sitting versus zone and breaking away from man defenders.
If the defense shows Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties, consider audibling to a quicker route or checking down since the deep shots get taken away.
Pair this call with HB Dive or Counter Y-Lead earlier in a series to get linebackers creeping up in run support, then hit this play-action shot when they bite on the run fake.
Best used on second and medium or third and long when the defense is more likely to be in man coverage and willing to bring pressure, since the extra protection at the line buys time for the deep routes to develop.
