Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Y Cross runs pre-snap motion across the formation before the snap, then attacks the middle of the field with a deep crossing route from the Y receiver that travels the full width of the field. The backside receiver runs a deep comeback breaking outside, the outside receiver on the strong side clears vertically before working back outside, and the remaining strong side receiver runs a corner route out of the bunch look. The HB releases on a shallow out to the flat as a checkdown and outlet against blitz pressure. This is a man beater at its core, using the deep in-breaking cross to create natural rub traffic and separation against man coverage, with the primary read progression starting on the Y crosser, then working to the corner route in the flat, and finishing with the HB check down.
Defensive Reads
Key the linebacker or safety assigned to shadow the pre-snap motion man, if he chases across the formation you are facing man coverage and should sit the Y crosser against a natural pick. Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the intermediate middle of the field, this is the primary counter to the crossing route and will undercut the throw if the quarterback does not see him. Identify two high safety shells before the snap, against Cover 2 or Cover 4 the deep comeback route on the backside becomes the better answer since the cross runs into help over the top. Against Cover 3 or single high looks, the flat corner route and HB outlet become live since the cross runs into the deep zone defender's throwing lane. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they show blitz and vacate underneath, the crosser hits its window instantly, but if they sit and shuffle with the crosser's path the quarterback needs to reset to the checkdown quickly.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you know you are getting man coverage and the Y cross becomes a near automatic completion versus off coverage.
Hold the ball a half second longer against zone shells to let the Y crosser clear the underneath linebackers, this route benefits from patience since it travels the full width of the field.
Hot route the HB to a check release versus known blitz teams so he can chip a rusher before working to the flat, this protects your quarterback and still gives you the outlet read.
Pair this play with Mtn Stick Z Post or PA Cross Dig in the same set to keep defenses guessing between the deep cross and quick game concepts out of the identical Tight Flex motion look.
Best called on second or third and medium since the crosser needs time to develop, avoid calling this on third and long where the sit down routes get jumped by underneath zone defenders sinking to the sticks.
