Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Mtn Slot Fade Y-Cross is a five man route concept out of Shotgun Trips Flex that stresses the field horizontally and vertically off a quick pre-snap motion. The diagram shows the motion man releasing outside for a vertical fade, the Y running a deep cross all the way across the field, the inline TE running a quick out/flat, and the backside single receiver stemming vertical before breaking off on a corner route while the RB releases to the flat as a checkdown or shallow escape valve. This is a man beater built to win one on one on the outside fade or hit the Y-Cross against man leverage or zone rotation, with the primary read progression starting on the fade against single high or press coverage, moving to the Y-Cross working across the middle, and checking down to the flat route and RB if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Key the corner over the motion receiver pre-snap: if he presses at the line expect man coverage and the fade has a real shot deep. Watch the middle linebacker and safety depth post-snap, since a shallow drop or hesitation on the Y-Cross opens a big throwing window across the field. Look for a user controlled defender sitting in the shallow middle or spying the crosser, since that lurk threat can bait a bad throw over the middle. Cover 3 with a sinking flat defender can clog the underneath route to the TE but the cross behind it stresses the seam between the flat and deep third. Blitz packages that bring extra pressure off the edge take away protection time on the fade, so check for a hot route or quick flat throw if the pocket collapses fast.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone: if the defender follows across the formation it confirms man coverage and opens up the fade and cross as prime targets.
Attack single high safety shells with the outside fade since it isolates the corner in a one on one vertical battle with no help over the top.
If the defense shows two high safeties, prioritize the Y-Cross since it will find soft spots between zone defenders and picks up yards after the catch against man leverage.
Use this on second and medium or third and long when you need a chunk play, since the fade and cross both threaten explosive gains.
Pair this play with Mtn Verticals Y-Cross or Mtn Stick Y-Nod from the same set to keep the defense guessing between vertical shots and the Y-Cross concept, forcing linebackers to widen their drops.
