Playbooks

Verticals Y Cross

Shotgun·Trey Y-Flex Str·11

Four Verts Y Cross Pass Play Cover 2 Beater Cover 3 Beater Crosser

Play diagram for Verticals Y Cross from Shotgun Trey Y-Flex Str in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrey Y-Flex Str

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

Chiefs OffenseOffense NFL Live Chiefs OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Verticals Y Cross runs a four verticals concept out of Shotgun Trey Y-Flex Str, with the backside X releasing on a deep vertical, the Y (tight end) running the deep crossing route from the strong side all the way across the field, and the two remaining receivers on the strong side stacking a vertical and a corner route while the swing back checks out of the backfield on a flat release. This is a man beater and cover 2 beater built to stress deep zone defenders with vertical stems while the Y Cross gives a natural pick and separation route against man coverage. The primary read progression starts with the Y Cross working from strong to weak side, then climbs to the backside vertical if the crosser is taken away by a trailing linebacker or safety.

Defensive Reads

Watch for two high safeties rotating late since that signals cover 2 or cover 4, both of which struggle to match four verticals with only two or three deep defenders. If the defense shows single high safety pre-snap, expect cover 3 or man coverage, and prioritize the Y Cross since it beats zone drops from linebackers and exploits man coverage with the natural rub. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field can jump the Y Cross route, so be ready to reset to the backside vertical if you see a defender crashing down early on the crosser. Blitz packages with six or more rushers put immediate pressure on the quarterback, so use a hot route to release the back into the flat quickly or check down to protect against a sack. If corners are pressing at the line pre-snap, expect man coverage underneath, which favors the vertical stems and Y Cross timing since receivers can win off the release before the defender recovers.

Usage Tips

Identify single high versus two high safety looks before the snap since this play punishes both cover 2 and cover 3 shells that rely on deep zone drops.

Use the Y Cross as your first read against man coverage because the natural rub from the underneath traffic creates instant separation versus linebackers and slower safeties.

If you see cover 2, work the vertical routes on the numbers since the corners have to respect the flat and the safeties cannot cover four verticals with only two deep defenders.

Pair this play with RPO Peek Slant or Mtn Stick earlier in a drive to bait linebackers into sitting shallow, then come back to Verticals Y Cross to hit the crosser or verticals over the top.

Best called on second and long or first down shot situations where you want to attack deep zone leverage before defenses commit to heavy blitz packages.