Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Y-Corner is a play-action pass out of Singleback Ace Slot 12 personnel that sells the run fake before releasing four receivers into the pattern. The Y-TE runs the namesake corner route breaking outside off play-action, while the two outside receivers push vertical up the seams and the slot man-side receiver runs a shallow drive route out of the backfield area. The blocking scheme uses play-action to hold the linebackers, and the primary read progression starts with the Y-corner as the first read, working back to the vertical routes on the outside if the corner window is closed.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety alignment pre-snap, since Cover 1 and Cover 3 leave the Y-corner route vulnerable in the flat to deep intermediate area. Watch the flat defender and curl to flat zone dropper post-snap, if they widen too fast the Y-corner sits in the open window behind them. Two deep safety shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4 squeeze the corner route hard, so expect the quarterback to check down to the drive route or vertical seam instead. Key the play-side linebacker for run blitz or contain rush, since aggressive edge pressure disrupts the play-action fake and forces a quick throw before routes develop. User a lurk defender in the flat to bait the quarterback into throwing the corner route into a jump ball situation, then close on the route from underneath.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs like first or second and medium to keep defenses honest against your run game out of Ace Slot.
Look for single high safety shells pre-snap since the Y-corner route attacks the void vacated by a Cover 3 or Cover 1 flat defender.
If the defense shows two deep safeties, hot route the drive route into a quick option or check to the vertical seam route since the corner route will be squeezed by the deep half defender.
Pair this play with HB Dive or HB Zone Alert Bubble earlier in a drive so linebackers bite on the play-action fake, opening the Y-corner window against Cover 3 sink zones.
Snap on early downs to punish aggressive run blitzes, since the play-action freezes second level defenders and creates one on one matchups on the corner route.
