Playbooks

Kc Under Y-out

Shotgun·Spread Y-Slot·11

Out Pass Play

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSpread Y-Slot

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Balanced Run OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Kc Under Y-out is a pass play out of Shotgun Spread Y-Slot that uses an under concept combined with a Y-out breaking route from the tight end to attack the flat and intermediate zones. The route combo pairs deep shots to clear out the top of the defense with the Y-out working underneath, giving the quarterback a high-low read against zone coverage while also creating natural rub leverage against man coverage. Primary read progression starts with the under route crossing the middle of the field, then works to the Y-out as the safety valve if the crosser is taken away by a linebacker or nickel defender sinking underneath.

Defensive Reads

Read the middle linebacker depth at the snap, since a shallow drop signals zone coverage that opens the under route for an easy completion. Watch the flat defender responsible for the Y-out area, as a defender sitting flat footed in the flat zone will jump the route if thrown too early. Identify Cover 2 shells by checking corner depth pre-snap, since hard corners sitting at the line often signal underneath zone help that can undercut the Y-out. Man coverage with a linebacker matched on the tight end is the best matchup to exploit, since the Y-out route creates natural separation on the breaking point against slower defenders. Beware of user-controlled defenders lurking in the shallow middle zone, since a spy or rat defender can jump the under route if the quarterback stares it down too long before checking the Y-out.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is in man or zone before the snap, since the Y-out route timing changes based on whether a defender follows the tight end across the formation.

Against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, throw the under route first since it settles into the soft spot between the linebacker level and deep zone defenders.

Against man coverage, hot route the under to a shallow drag or speed up the Y-out timing to beat off-man corners who sit on the sideline breaking routes.

Pair this play with Curls or Digs H Option in the same set to keep the defense guessing between intermediate crossing routes and out breaking concepts, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their drops.

Best called on second and medium or third and short to medium distances where the Y-out and under routes both offer quick access to the sticks without requiring a deep vertical shot.