Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Whip Y Cross is a five man route concept out of Shotgun Box HB Strong that stresses the field horizontally and vertically at the same time. The Y runs a deep whip route that breaks back across the middle, while the two outside receivers push vertical seams on the right side to clear out the deep zones. Underneath, the HB runs a whip route to the left flat and the slot runs a shallow drag crossing under the whip, giving the quarterback a built in man beater against man coverage and a natural high low zone beater versus zone drops. Primary progression starts with the Y whip route working back to the quarterback, then works down to the shallow drag, with the two verticals on the right as the pressure release against single high looks.
Defensive Reads
Look for single high safety shells pre-snap, since the two verticals on the right side will occupy the deep defenders and open the whip route and drag underneath. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they sink hard to cover the shallow drag, the Y whip route sitting down in the middle becomes the window. Cover 3 defenses with a hard flat defender can jump the HB whip route in the left flat, so know your checkdown is not guaranteed against zone drops on that side. User controlled defenders lurking in the middle of the field are the biggest threat to this play, since both the whip route and the drag cross through that same shallow to intermediate area. Man coverage with no help over the top is the ideal shell to attack, since the whip route breaks stick the defender and the verticals occupy any deep safety trying to rob the crosser.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check the box count and safety alignment before deciding whether to trust the Y whip route or bail to the drag underneath.
Against man coverage, the whip route by the Y creates natural separation off the break, so time your throw as the receiver plants and comes back to you rather than leading him upfield.
If you see two high safeties, work the shallow drag first since the verticals will likely be capped, then come back to the whip route on the double move.
Use hot routes to release the HB into the flat quicker against blitz heavy defenses that show pressure off the edge, since the whip out of the backfield is your answer to man blitzes.
Pair this play with Inside Zone and HB Draw from the same set to keep defenses honest on early downs, then call Whip Y Cross on second or third and medium once the defense starts loading the box.
