Playbooks

Tear Y Cross

Shotgun·Spread Flex·11
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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

Franchise Offense Sharedcoach3Offense

Breakdown

Tear Y Cross is a man beater built around the Y receiver working a deep crossing route from one side of the formation to the other, stressing man defenders with natural rub and pick action from the underneath routes. The outside receivers occupy the corners with vertical or out breaking routes to hold safeties and cornerbacks, clearing space for the Y crosser to work through the middle of the field. The primary read progression starts with the Y Cross as it works across the field, then moves to the underneath check down or flat route if the crosser gets picked up by a linebacker sinking into a lurk zone.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check safety alignment for single high shells since Tear Y Cross thrives against man coverage with only one deep defender Watch cornerback press alignment on the outside receivers, if they are playing tight man the rub action from underneath routes should spring the Y Cross open quickly Post-snap, identify any user controlled linebacker sitting in a lurk spot in the middle of the field, this defender is the primary threat to jumping the crossing route Against Cover 2 or Cover 4 zone shells, the Y Cross can get squeezed by underneath zone defenders sinking into the same window, so be ready to check down Watch for disguised blitzes that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the Y Cross takes time to develop and a fast blitz can force an early throw before the route clears traffic

Usage Tips

Use this play on second and medium to second and long when you expect single high safety looks or man coverage from the defense

Motion the Y receiver pre-snap if allowed to confirm man versus zone based on the defender following the motion

Hot route the backside outside receiver into a slant or drag if you see a heavy blitz look to give yourself a quick throw option

Pair this call with Y Stick or Mesh from the same set to keep the defense guessing on similar formation looks while attacking different levels of the field

Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, look to hit the Y Cross on the move as it settles into the intermediate zone window behind the linebackers and in front of the deep defenders

Use play action rollout calls like PA Dig later in the drive once the defense starts jumping the crosser aggressively

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