Playbooks
Mtn Verticals Y-Cross
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Mtn Verticals Y-Cross deploys four vertical stem routes with the backside outside receiver running a deep go up the numbers and the trips side stacking two verticals plus an out breaking flag route from the slot. The Y (inline tight end) runs a deep crosser from the trips side all the way across the field, working through the linebacker and safety zones, while the checkdown running back releases on a flat/shoot route to the boundary for an outlet. This is primarily a Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater, using the crosser to sit in the void behind linebackers and in front of deep zone defenders, with the primary read progression starting on the Y-Cross, then working to the vertical stack on the trips side, and finally the backside go route if the safety bites on the crosser.
Defensive Reads
Read the middle linebacker's drop after the snap, since if he sinks with the Y-Cross the quarterback should reset to the vertical stack on the trips side. Watch the free safety's initial rotation, because Cover 3 shells with a deep middle defender will struggle to cover both the crosser and the two-way go on the outside verticals. Check corner alignment pre-snap on the trips side, since press man technique signals an opportunity to attack with the vertical stack against a lack of safety help. Post-snap, key any user-controlled defender lurking in the shallow to intermediate middle zone, as this is the primary threat that can jump the Y-Cross route and create a turnover. Against blitz packages, identify if the running back's protection assignment holds, since Mtn Verticals Y-Cross is vulnerable to interior pressure that collapses the pocket before the crosser has time to develop.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two deep safeties or one, since this concept punishes Cover 2 shells when the Y-Cross settles between the corner and safety zone drops.
Use the running back's flat route as a built-in checkdown against blitz looks, especially when the defense shows pressure off the trips side or brings a nano blitz up the middle.
If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, work the backside go route immediately since the crosser and verticals will occupy the underneath defenders and clear space for a one on one shot.
Combine this play with Mtn Slot Fade Y-Cross and Mtn Stick Y-Nod to keep the defense guessing on the same Y-Cross action, forcing linebackers to respect multiple route concepts off similar formation motion.
Best called on second or third and medium to long distance when you need a chunk play, since the Y-Cross and vertical stack take time to develop and need the pocket to hold up.
