Playbooks
Pats Y Out is a trips-based passing concept out of Shotgun that isolates the Y (tight end) on an out route working to the boundary while the trips side occupies the underneath and deep zones. The backside or trips receivers typically run a combination of vertical and in breaking routes to hold safeties and clear space for the Y out breaking route. This concept is designed primarily as a zone beater, attacking hook and curl zones with the quick out, while the primary read progression starts with the Y out and works to the trips side crossers or dig if the flat defender sinks or a linebacker widens to take away the initial throw.
Read the cornerback aligned over the Y tight end pre-snap, if he is playing outside leverage in press man the out route becomes tougher and should be hot routed Identify the flat defender on the trips side pre-snap, if it is a linebacker with heavy zone drop responsibility the Y out will have a clean window before he can rotate over Post-snap key the middle linebacker or nickel defender for a lurk threat sitting in the shallow hook zone, since that defender can jump the out route if he reads the quarterback's eyes Watch for a cover 3 shell rolling to the trips side, this coverage compresses the flat and can bait a risky throw into a sinking corner Against man blitz look for the slot or trips defender showing blitz depth pre-snap, since that usually signals a nano blitz package and the quarterback needs a quick answer before the out route fully develops
Pre-snap identify whether the defense is showing a two high or single high shell, since Pats Y Out thrives against zone coverage that leaves the flat and hook zones soft
Hot route the Y out to a quicker breaking route or option route if you see man coverage with a linebacker matched up, since he will struggle to close on the out in space
Use this play on early downs or third and short to medium since the Y out sits down quickly and gives a high percentage completion window
Watch the trips side for a linebacker spy or a robber defender sitting in the middle of the field, and if you see that threat progress fast to the Y out before he can drop underneath
Pair this play with Pats Cross or Pats Drag Wheel in your call sheet sequence so the defense has to respect both the quick out breaking concept and the deeper crossing routes, forcing conflict for zone defenders