Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Drive Y Seam is a trips concept out of Shotgun Y Trips Wk that attacks the middle of the field with a vertical seam route from the inline TE while the trips side runs a drive combo underneath. The two outside trips receivers run a drive concept with the outermost man cutting under the inner receiver, creating natural rubs against man coverage, while the backside receiver runs a dig breaking away from the seam. The HB releases out of the backfield on a wheel route to attack the flat and boundary against man leverage. Primary read is the Y seam route first to attack Cover 4 or split safety shells, working backside to the dig and finally to the drive combo and HB wheel if the middle is taken away.
Defensive Reads
Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sits shallow or bites on the drive combo the seam route will be wide open behind him. Key the safeties, if both safeties stay deep and split the field evenly this is a strong Cover 4 beater since the seam threatens the seam window between the corner and safety. If the defense shows man coverage, look for a linebacker or slot corner trying to run with the TE on the seam, since he rarely has the speed to stay on top. Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, since he can undercut the seam route if the quarterback is late with the throw. Against a blitz, identify if the HB stays in to block or releases on the wheel, because a hot blitz picture usually means the drive combo underneath becomes the checkdown of choice.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second and medium to long third down when you need to stress a two-high safety shell vertically. Pre-snap, identify if the safeties are shaded to the trips side, since that opens up the backside dig route as a hot read. If you see man coverage with no safety help over the seam, throw it early before the linebacker can get a jam or the safety can rotate. Hot route the drive combo receivers to a hitch or slant if the defense shows a hard blitz look to give yourself a quick outlet. Pair this play with Four Verticals or Levels Y Out from the same set to keep defenders guessing between vertical seam shots and underneath in and out combos, forcing the defense to respect both layers of the field.
