Playbooks

PA Y Cross

Shotgun·Split Y-Flex·21
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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

PA Y Cross is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Split Y-Flex 21 personnel that uses the run fake to hold linebackers and safeties before the tight end works a deep crossing route from one side of the field to the other. The line and backfield sell inside zone or HB run action, giving the quarterback a clean pocket while the Y crosses underneath the safeties and over any shallow zone drops. This is primarily a zone beater because the crossing route exploits the seam between hook zones and deep thirds, though it can also work against man coverage if you get a favorable matchup for the tight end on a linebacker or slower safety. The primary read progression starts with the Y Cross as it clears the middle of the field, then works to any secondary outlet like a flat or check-down route if the crosser is blanketed.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify the safety alignment first. A two high shell with safeties shaded outside the numbers tells you the middle of the field is open for the Y Cross to work through. Watch linebacker depth at the snap. If the linebackers bite hard on the run fake and widen their pursuit angles, the crossing route will have a clean throwing lane through the vacated middle zone. Post-snap, key any user-controlled defender lurking in the shallow to intermediate middle zone, since a smart user will sit in the crosser's path and jump the route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Cover 3 with a hard flowing linebacker to the run side is where this play shines, since the crosser exploits the seam behind the flowing linebacker and in front of the deep third defender. Man coverage with inside leverage on the tight end or a blitz that brings extra rushers off the edge is what shuts this down fastest, since the play fake delays your throw and man defenders can trail the crosser step for step.

Usage Tips

Use PA Y Cross on early downs like first or second and short to medium distance when the defense expects run based on personnel and formation tendencies.

Check safety depth before the snap. If both safeties are sitting at 8 to 10 yards in a two high shell, the play action fake will not be as effective, but the Y Cross window over the middle stays open against Cover 2 or Cover 4 zone drops.

Hot route the fullback or second back to a flat or seam route to give yourself a quick answer if the defense drops eight into coverage or you sense pressure off the edge.

Pair this play with Y Cross and Mtn Y Cross in the same set so the defense sees the same crossing action on multiple play types, then hit them with the play action shot version once they start jumping the crosser at the snap.

Avoid calling this against aggressive man blitz looks unless you have a hot route ready, since the play fake eats up crucial time you need to get the ball out against a nano blitz or overload pressure.

Other Plays in Split Y-Flex