Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Y Trail is a trips-side pass concept out of Shotgun 11 personnel with the tight end running a shallow trail route underneath a deep dig from the slot receiver, while the backside X runs a vertical clearout and the RB releases into a flat route off the line. The blocking is a standard 5-man protection with the RB checking the flat before the release, giving the QB a clean pocket to work through the levels concept. The primary read progression starts with the TE trail route against man leverage, then works to the dig sitting down over the middle, with the flat route as the checkdown against blitz pressure.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check for a single high safety, which signals man coverage underneath and makes the TE trail route your top target. If the slot corner or nickel is playing tight bump coverage on the trips side, expect the dig route to break open once it clears the hook zone. Watch for a linebacker sitting in a hook zone drop, since that defender can jump the trail route in Cover 3 and force you to progress to the dig or flat. A blitz look with the strong safety crashing downhill means you need to get the ball out fast to the RB flat route before the protection breaks down. Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties will squeeze the window on the dig, so key the underneath linebackers to see if they are widening or staying home against the trail concept.
Usage Tips
Attack man coverage first by reading how the defender plays the TE on the trail route, since it is designed to create natural separation against tight man leverage.
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to confirm if the defense is showing Cover 2 or Cover 3, because the trail and dig combo stresses hook zone defenders who have to widen for the flat.
Hot route the backside X to a comeback or hitch on third and short to give yourself a quick outlet if the defense shows two-high safety shells pre-snap.
Pair this play with Curls X Go or Levels Y Out in the same set to keep defenders guessing between shallow crossers and vertical shots off similar formation looks.
Throw with anticipation to the trail route the instant the TE clears the first level of the defense, since holding the ball too long invites a user lurk defender to jump the crossing pattern.
