Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Verticals Y Out is a four-verticals concept run out of Shotgun Y Off Trips Wk with the trips side pushing three receivers vertically up the seams and sideline while the backside X runs a shallow out toward the flat. The Y (slot TE/receiver in the bunch) breaks off his vertical into an out route at the second level, giving the quarterback a built-in zone beater window against Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells. The primary read starts with the two inside verticals up the middle for a Cover 2 seam throw, then works to the Y out against Cover 3 flat defenders before checking down to the backside out for a quick, low risk completion.
Defensive Reads
Watch the deep safeties at the snap, if they bail into a two deep shell late that signals Cover 2 and the seams between the numbers and the safeties open up. Key the flat defender on the trips side, if he sinks with the Y out route the seam behind him becomes wide open for the vertical route. Identify the deep middle defender in Cover 3 looks, he can only take away one of the two inside verticals so throw opposite his leverage. Watch for a nano blitz or extra rusher off the edge, since this route concept takes time to develop, disguised pressure can force a quick checkdown to the backside out. Man coverage with no safety help over the top gets beat easily by the seam verticals, but watch for a lurking linebacker sitting in the throwing lane on shallow crosser awareness.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties sitting at 10-12 yards this play attacks the seams before they can rotate down. Against single high looks, target the outside verticals on the trips side since the deep third defender cannot cover two verticals to that side. Use the backside out route as your checkdown against pressure or when the coverage jumps the verticals underneath. Hot route the Y out into a deeper corner route if you notice a linebacker sitting shallow, this creates an even bigger throwing window versus zone drops. Pair this play with Curls Combo or Stick from the same set to keep defenders honest on shorter routes before hitting them with the vertical shot off similar pre-snap looks.
