Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Rams Y Out is a five man route concept out of Shotgun Tight Offset TE that attacks the flat and out zones on the right side while clearing the backside with two verticals. The Y (TE) runs a quick out to the boundary, with a receiver behind him breaking outside on a corner route to stack the sideline and take the top off. On the backside, the outside receiver runs a deep post/go while the inside slot works an out and up into a wheel-like vertical, and the HB releases into a flat route underneath as a checkdown or man beater versus linebackers. The primary read starts with the Y out for the quick, high percentage throw, then progresses to the corner route behind it if the flat defender squats, with the HB flat and backside vertical as late window options versus zone coverage or blitz.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender at the snap since his depth tells you whether the Y out or the corner route behind it will be open. If the corner or nickel sinks deep to protect against the corner route, the Y out will be wide open underneath for an easy pitch and catch. Key the safety alignment before the snap, since a single high safety leaning toward the trips side can bail out and take away the corner route, forcing the quarterback to check down. Linebacker depth matters against the HB flat release, since a linebacker sitting shallow in coverage can jump the route and create a user pick six opportunity. This concept struggles versus press man with safety help over the top on the corner route and versus a well timed zone blitz that gets an extra rusher off the edge before the quick out route develops.
Usage Tips
Presnap, identify whether the defense is showing man or zone across from the Y and the flat, since this concept has answers for both. Against man coverage look immediately to the Y out since it creates instant separation off the break and is nearly unguardable versus press or trail technique. Against zone coverage with a defender sitting on the out, progress to the corner route stacked behind it for the high low read on the flat defender. Use the HB flat route as your answer versus a hard blitz since it gets the ball out fast before pressure arrives. Pair this play with Slot Outs or Mills Slot Out in your call sheet to keep defenders guessing between quick out concepts and deeper double move shots off the same formation and personnel.
