PA Texans Y-out

Watch linebacker depth pre-snap, if they are stacked tight to the line expecting run support, the play-action fake will hold them and the Y-out will have a clean throwing lane. Identify the flat defender responsible for the boundary, in Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells this defender must respect the run fake, creating a window for the out route before he can flow outside. Key the safety rotation post-snap, if the deep safety rotates hard to the trips side pre-snap this signals zone coverage and the Y-out becomes the clear zone beater read. Look for a nickel or slot cornerback playing off coverage on the Y receiver, since a hard press look or man alignment on that receiver signals this play will be tightly contested and you should progress faster to trips side routes. This play is shut down by disciplined zone defenses that do not bite on the play-action fake, particularly Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with linebackers sitting in short zones, since the flat defender can undercut the out route if he does not respect the run action.