Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 11 playbooks
Breakdown
Empty Y Cross empties the backfield out of Trey Y-Flex, spreading five receivers to attack the entire width of the field. The diagram shows a deep vertical from the far left slot, a skinny post climbing from the second inside receiver, a shallow crosser (red route) working from the numbers all the way across the field, and a flat/out route from the right side that breaks upfield after reaching the sideline. This is a man beater built around the crosser creating natural rub traffic and picking off trailing defenders, while the vertical and post occupy deep coverage. Primary read progression starts with the deep crosser working across the field, then works to the skinny post if the crosser is taken away, with the flat route as a check-down against blitz or tight man coverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment since the crosser thrives against man coverage with a single deep safety. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, as shallow zone drops from the second and third level linebackers can undercut the crosser and cause a turnover. Post-snap, key any user-controlled defender sitting in a lurk spot in the middle of the field, since that defender is designed to jump the crosser route. Cover 3 and Cover 1 with aggressive underneath defenders can shut this down if the crosser is jumped early, so be ready to reset to the flat or post. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge force a quick decision, so recognize pressure and get the ball out to the flat route as a hot read.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hot route check to confirm man coverage before snapping, since the crosser is the key man beater in this concept.
Against zone shells, look to hit the skinny post in the seam or work the flat route quickly before underneath defenders can sink and wall off the crosser.
Call this play on second or third and medium situations where the crosser has time to develop and the quarterback can climb the pocket.
Pair Empty Y Cross with Empty Stick or RPO Alert Out from the same set to keep defenses guessing between quick game and the deeper crossing concept.
If the defense starts jumping the crosser after repeated looks, sequence into Levels Y Corner or Dagger from this formation to attack the same landmarks with a double move.
