Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 16 playbooks
Breakdown
Y Trail out of Shotgun Bunch Str Nasty stacks three receivers to the strong side, sending the outside receiver on a deep vertical to clear the top of the defense while the middle bunch receiver runs a corner route into the void. The Y (tight end) runs the trail route underneath, crossing the field flat behind the wall of traffic to sit in the shallow zone, while the backside receiver runs a shallow drag/flat route from the opposite side. This is a man beater built on the trail concept: the Y crosses low to rub off man defenders while the two vertical routes stretch the deep coverage, so the primary read starts with the Y trail underneath, then works to the deep corner route if the trail is taken away by a linebacker or nickel defender.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the slot cornerback or nickel is aligned tight to the bunch, which signals man coverage and a green light for the trail route. Watch for a single high safety rotation, which often means man under and opens up the trail crossing route for a big gap in coverage. Post-snap, key any linebacker or nickel defender sinking into the shallow zone underneath the bunch, since that defender can undercut the trail route if the offense does not adjust. Look for a two high safety shell pre-snap, which usually means zone coverage underneath and forces the quarterback to work the deep corner route instead of the trail. Beware a user-controlled defender spying the middle of the field or lurking in the shallow zone, since that can jump the trail route if the quarterback stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a look at the slot corner alignment to confirm man coverage before snapping, since the trail concept thrives against man because of the natural traffic created by the bunch alignment.
If you see a single high safety with man coverage underneath, throw the Y trail immediately on the crossing route timing since it will separate off the rub.
Against zone shells with underneath defenders sitting in the middle, work the deep corner route or the backside flat route instead of forcing the trail into a zone defender's lane.
Pair this play with Mtn Mesh Trail or Corndog Trail in the same set to keep the defense guessing between different trail concepts out of similar bunch alignment looks.
Best called on second or third and medium when defenses are more likely to play man coverage to prevent the easy completion underneath.
