Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Y Cross out of Pistol Strong Y Off Close sends the tight end on a deep crossing route from the closed strong side all the way across the field, while the backside receiver runs a deep vertical to clear space and one underneath receiver breaks outside to the flat/out. On the strong side, the outside receiver runs a comeback/curl toward the sideline and the running back releases into a flat route underneath. This is a man beater built off the Y Cross concept, using the crosser to create natural separation against trailing defenders, with the deep vertical route occupying the deep half and the flat/curl combo underneath giving a checkdown against zone drops. Primary read progression starts with the deep crosser working across the middle, then works to the strong side comeback route, and finally checks down to the flat route from the running back if the crosser and comeback are covered.
Defensive Reads
Identify if the defense shows two high safeties pre-snap, since that usually means the crosser will run into a defender sitting in the middle zone. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, since shallow linebackers can undercut the crosser and jump the route before it clears the middle of the field. If corners are lined up in press man with no safety help over the top, expect the deep vertical route to draw a hard trail technique, which opens up the crosser underneath. User a linebacker or safety to sit in the passing lane where the crosser crosses the field, since this is the primary lurk spot to bait the quarterback into a turnover. Against Cover 3 zone, key the flat defender and curl/flat defender, since a good zone drop can take away both the flat route and the comeback simultaneously, forcing the quarterback to force the ball into the crosser.
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety shells pre-snap since the deep crosser will have room to work if there is no help over the top in the middle of the field.
Motion or check the backside vertical route into a deep shot if you see man coverage with no safety help, since it will hold defenders and open the crosser behind them.
Use this on second or third and medium situations where the defense is likely to sit in zone, since the crosser and flat combo give you a built in answer against both Cover 2 and Cover 3 zone drops.
Pair this play with Trail Speed Out or Z Slant Y Corner in the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick underneath throws and the developing crosser, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their drops.
Hot route the running back's flat route to a quick out if you are getting immediate pressure, giving you a fast release valve before the crosser has time to develop.
