Playbooks

Mtn Y Cross

Shotgun·Split Y-Flex·21
CrosserDeep CrossPostFadeSwingPass Play
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Mtn Y Cross out of Shotgun Split Y-Flex is a play-action based mountain concept designed to attack the middle of the field while giving quarterbacks a full-field progression to work through. The Y (tight end) runs the signature cross underneath while mountain routes stack vertically on one side, creating a natural high-low read against zone coverage and a pick-style rub against man coverage. This is primarily a man beater given the crossing action, though the mountain stack also stresses zone defenders who have to choose between the deep and underneath levels. The primary read progression starts with the Y cross coming across the field, then climbs the mountain stack from the underneath route to the vertical shot if the crosser is taken away.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment since a two high shell tells you the mountain vertical route has support while a single high shell opens up the deep shot behind the cross Watch the flow of the middle linebacker at the snap, if he sits and reads the quarterback instead of sprinting to his zone drop, the Y cross will get sat on and clogged Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest green light for this play since the crossing action creates natural separation and a potential pick Cover 3 with a hard sinking corner can take away the mountain vertical shot, forcing you to check down to the underdneath cross earlier in your progression Be alert for a delayed blitz or nano blitz off the edge since the play design takes a moment to develop and the quarterback needs a clean pocket to let the cross work

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a quick shift to identify if the defense is showing man or zone before the snap, since the Y cross timing changes depending on how much traffic is in the middle of the field

If you see single high safety with corners playing outside leverage, trust the Y cross to work across the field into the void vacated by the linebackers

Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or slant if the defense shows Cover 2 to give yourself an outlet away from the mountain stack side

This play works best on second and medium to third and medium since the cross needs a few extra ticks to develop compared to quick game

Pair this with Y Shallow Cross or Mesh from the same set to condition the defense to expect an immediate underneath throw, then hit the mountain shot play off that same look for an explosive gain

Against aggressive user linebackers who jump the shallow crosser, check to the mountain vertical route on the backside for a big play opportunity

Other Plays in Split Y-Flex