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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Levels Y Out is a trips-based pass concept built off the Shotgun Y Trips Wk formation that layers a horizontal out route from the Y off a vertical stack of levels routes from the trips side, creating natural high low spacing against zone defenders. This is primarily a Cover 2 beater since the out route from the Y attacks the void between the corner and flat defender while the levels concept on the other side stresses the underneath zone defenders with in cuts at different depths. The primary read progression starts with the Y out route working the flat to hole shot behind an aggressive corner, then progresses to the intermediate levels crosser sitting in the middle void, and finishes with the deep levels route if the safety bites on the shorter routes.
Defensive Reads
Identify the safety depth before the snap, two deep safeties aligned at 10 to 12 yards signal Cover 2 and confirm this play call is in a good spot against that shell. Watch the flat or curl to flat defender at the snap, if he widens with the Y out route the levels crosser behind him will be sitting in a soft void for an easy completion. Key the middle linebacker or nickel defender's zone drop, a shallow drop under 5 yards opens the intermediate levels route while a deeper drop opens the underneath out route. Man coverage with press corners and no deep safety help is the biggest threat to this concept since the out route can get jumped and the levels crossers lose their natural spacing advantage. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in a lurk spot over the levels crossers, if you see a defender spying that window abort to the Y out or check the ball down to your checkdown option instead of forcing the crosser.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a peek at the corner alignment on the Y side to confirm if the defense is showing Cover 2 or Cover 4, since the out route is your first hot read against a soft corner playing off coverage.
If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 1 man, hot route the Y out into a quick speed out or option route to give yourself a faster access throw against man beaters underneath.
Pair this play with Fl Dig or Curls X Go in your play calling sequence to keep defenders guessing between horizontal out breaking routes and vertical crossing concepts out of the same trips look.
This play shines on second and medium to second and long since it gives you a quick underneath answer with the Y out while still holding a deep shot option through the levels crossers.
Watch the flat defender post snap, if he sinks with the levels crosser instead of jumping the Y out route, that is your green light to rip the ball to the flat immediately before the window closes.
