Playbooks
WR Under
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
WR Under out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex is a quick, timing-based passing concept built to attack zone and man coverage on the same snap. The left side runs a shallow cross under a deep out breaking to the sideline, the right side stacks a deep dig/crossing route over an intermediate out, and the backfield releases a swing route out of the flat as the outlet. The primary read progression starts with the shallow crosser underneath (the drag), works to the deep out on the boundary if the shallow is covered, then to the far side dig or curl in the middle of the field, and checks down to the swing route in the flat as the built-in escape valve against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the linebackers are sitting in shallow zone drops or showing man coverage leverage on the slot receivers, since this play is designed as a man beater against tight coverage on the crossers. Post-snap, watch for a user-controlled defender lurking underneath the shallow cross, as that is the primary way to shut down the first read in this progression. Cover 3 defenses struggle with the combination of the shallow drag and deep out stretching the flat defender horizontally, so look for that conflict if you are attacking this concept. Man coverage with strong linebacker help over the middle can take away the deep dig route, forcing the quarterback back to the shallow cross or swing route as checkdowns. Disguised blitzes that bring extra rushers off the edge put immediate pressure on the quarterback before the deep routes develop, so an aggressive edge rush package is one of the better counters to this play.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check for two-high versus one-high shells because this concept punishes zone defenses that sit their linebackers at a shallow depth against the drag route.
Use the shallow cross as your rhythm throw on early downs to keep the offense on schedule, especially against Cover 3 where the flat defender has to widen for the deep out.
Hot route the swing back into a flat route or check him down to a stick concept if the defense shows heavy blitz pressure, since the running back is your immediate answer against the nano blitz.
Pair this play with Y Stick or Slot Outs in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the shallow drag and quick-hitting stick combos, opening up the deep out and dig routes over the middle.
Best used on second and short to second and medium, since the quick game portion of this concept keeps you ahead of the sticks while still threatening deep with the crossing route.
