Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Y Trail is a trips-based passing concept out of Pistol 11 personnel that isolates the backside TE on a shallow trail route working underneath the crossing traffic. The trips side runs a deep vertical clearout and a deep in cut that stacks the middle of the field, dragging linebackers and safeties away from the trail route, while the backside X runs a vertical to hold the corner. This is a man beater at its core, since the trail concept is designed to pick off man defenders trying to chase the TE across the field, with the primary read starting on the TE trail route underneath before working to the deep in and vertical routes on the trips side.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker depth at the snap, since a shallow drop signals zone and a man turn to mirror the TE signals man coverage that Y Trail is built to beat. Watch for a user-controlled defender sitting in the shallow crossing lane, since that lurk threat can jump the trail route and turn it into a pick six. Check corner alignment on the trips side before the snap, since press man on the outside vertical route often opens a bigger throwing window underneath on the trail. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep zone drops, the trail route will still work against man defenders but underneath zone droppers can sit on it, so be ready to climb the pocket and hit the deep in route instead. Blitz-heavy fronts with man coverage behind them are the best matchup for this play, since the trail route clears out quickly before pressure arrives.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a look at safety depth to confirm man coverage before snapping, since Y Trail loses value against zone shells with underneath robbers sitting on the drag.
If you see two deep safeties and tight corner alignment on the TE, expect man match and trust the trail route to break open as it crosses the formation.
Hot route the backside X into a quick out or slant if the defense shows blitz off the edge, since the vertical alone will not get open fast enough against a hot rush.
Pair Y Trail with Curls or Y Stick in your play-calling sequence so you can attack both man and zone shells without changing your formation tendencies.
Best called on second and medium to third and short situations where the defense is more likely to sit in man coverage and bite on underneath crossers.
